ILLINOIS MAN DIES IN TRAIN DERAILMENT; PERRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT EVACUATES AREA AROUND ACCIDENT

Cars from a Burlington Northern/Santa Fe train lie jumbled after a milk tank truck hit the southbound train late Sunday morning at Menfro near Perryville. The driver of the milk truck was killed. No one on the train was injured.

MENFRO -- An Illinois man was killed, and 25 railroad cars were derailed Sunday morning when the milk tanker truck the man was driving slammed into a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train in eastern Perry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the truck driver as Darrell D. Boatright, 63, of Hoffman, Ill. Boatright was thrown from the truck on impact, according to a patrol spokesman. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Neither of the train's two crew members was injured in the accident.

Members of the Perry County Sheriff's Department evacuated about 25 people from homes within a 3/4-mile radius of the accident because some of the train's tankers were carrying flammable liquids.

A Burlington Northern spokesman said the train, which was hauling mixed freight, was en route from Galesburg, Ill., to Memphis, Tenn.

Railroad spokesman Jim Sabourin did not know exactly what type of liquid was being hauled but said the derailment did not pose a danger.

One overturned car leaked beef tallow, an animal fat used chiefly in soaps, margarine, candles and lubricants.

"We can confirm that no hazardous material leaked whatsoever," Sabourin said.

The truck, owned by Fab Milk Co. of Sandoval, Ill., was headed north on Highway C into Menfro eight miles east of Perryville when it hit the train in the side at 11:04 a.m.

Perry County sheriff's deputies said it appeared the tanker began gaining speed as it came down the hill and that the driver was unable to stop the truck. It struck the 20th car of the train reportedly causing the milk tanker to split into three parts.

Sabourin said the train's speed limit was 50 mph, but that it was traveling less than that. Flashing lights at the crossing were operating at the time.

When emergency crews learned no hazardous materials had leaked, people were allowed to return to their homes.

Officers from the sheriff's departments of Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties, the Missouri Highway Patrol, the Department of Natural Resources and Perry County ambulance service responded to the emergency.

Boatright had worked as a driver for the milk company for six years. He was taken to Miller Funeral Home in Perryville by the Perry County coroner. On Monday, his body will be taken to Hoffman, about 45 miles east of St. Louis.