A Norfolk Southern train traveling westbound slammed into a tractor trailer that was stuck on the railroad tracks, snapping the trailer in two. The rig and the front portion of the trailer continued on with the train for several hundred feet, while the rest of the trailer was left behind to twist around the ringing railroad gate. Packages of dog food went flying for a good hundred feet or so.

The spectacle took place around 5:20 p.m. on Werle Road near the intersection with Progress Drive in the town of Sheridan.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office reported that Jason M. Siepierski, 30, of Cheektowaga was attempting to head south on Werle Road, which is posted for no tractor trailers. The tractor trailer subsequently became stuck on the shoulder of the road, right in the path of the oncoming train.

Siepierski was reportedly able to exit the tractor prior to the collision. He was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk by Alstar Ambulance for non-life-threatening injuries.

OBSERVER Photos by Greg Fox A Norfolk Southern train slammed into a tractor trailer that was stuck on the railroad tracks on Werle Road in Sheridan Saturday evening. The rig and the front portion of the trailer continued on with the train for several hundred feet, while the rest of the trailer was left behind to twist around the ringing railroad gate.

Police ticketed Siepierski for disobeying a traffic control device. He will appear in Sheridan Town Court at a later date.

The Sheridan and East Dunkirk fire departments also responded to the scene.

A firefighter on the scene informed the OBSERVER a fire had started on the rig of the semi, though it was extinguished before first responders arrived.

Email: gfox@observertoday.com. Twitter: @gfoxnews