Police: NH trucker distracted before Amtrak crash


Peter Barnum, 35, of Farmington, N.H., took a five-minute phone call from his employer just before the collision and his truck was traveling 20 mph faster than the posted speed limit, according to a report by the North Berwick Police Department. A motorist following Barnum reported that the truck had been weaving on the road.

Barnum was distracted, possibly by his cellphone, and "didn't see the crossing until it was too late," police Chief Stephen Peasley said Monday.




Sean Callis, who witnessed the crash, said two tours in Afghanistan in which he experienced improvised explosive devices helped him deal with the aftermath as he tried to help. Brush fires were breaking out when he found Barnum's body, which the police report said was pinned under a hydraulic tank.

"It was a big explosion. Everything shattered," he said. Afterward, the truck's frame and axles were down the track and twisted metal was everywhere, he said Monday.

Investigators examined Barnum's cellphone records, GPS and other electronic equipment.

The complete report, made available to the public for the first time Monday, indicates his truck had passed inspections and passed through a weigh station in Eliot 17 minutes before the crash. It also said the train operator blew a whistle and that the flashing lights and the gates were operating properly.

Greg Daigneault of North Berwick, a driver who was following the truck, told investigators that Barnum was driving erratically and didn't slow down when the speed limit dropped.


GPS data from the truck indicated that Barnum had been sticking close to the speed limit, but he didn't slow down when the limit dropped from 55 mph to 40 mph and then 30 mph, Peasley said.



