A 21-year-old Chilliwack man did not drive a truck headlong into an oncoming CPR train as reported to RCMP officials, but was rather driving away from the train on the railroad tracks at the time of the crash.
The unidentified Chilliwack man, and his 23-year-old passenger from Agassiz, were not injured as they jumped from the truck seconds before the train caught up with them near the Wells Road train crossing in Agassiz early Sunday morning.
Police said alcohol was a factor in the 2:30 a.m. collision.
The Chilliwack man, a new driver, was issued a ticket for failing to remain at the scene of an accident, failure to obey a traffic control device, and driving contrary to restrictions.
He was also suspended from driving for 90 days, and the truck, which was wedged under the front engine of the train, was eventually towed away.
An eyewitness picked up to the two men, and returned them to police.
"This incident consumed significant resources," RCMP Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth said in a news release, including police dog services, emergency health services, the local fire department, CPR officials and general duty police officers.
Hollingsworth said the "foolish stunt ... disturbed the trains from transporting goods, which is extremely costly to the CPR for having to shut down and repair the tracks."
An investigation by the Agassiz RCMP continues, and further charges may be laid.