Forsyth man didn’t see train due to ‘glare from the sun’ in collision Thursday afternoon

A Forsyth driver was hit by a train on Tift College Drive Thursday afternoon when he drove onto the tracks, officials said.

The Norfolk Southern train hit and damaged the rear of a Jeep as it crossed the tracks at about a quarter past 2 p.m., according to a release from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

John William Charbonneau, 71, was at the wheel of the Jeep when he drove in front of the train. He told police once they arrived that he couldn’t see the train because of glare from the sun, according to the release.

Charbonneau also couldn’t hear the train approaching, he told the Forsyth officers and Monroe deputies at the scene. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. No others were hurt in the wreck.

Other details of the collision are not yet known. The crash was being investigated by the Monroe sheriff’s office.