Railroaders place to shoot the shit.

With no warrant, Salem cops cant hold train derailment suspect

SALEM - Police had their hands on a man Friday night who failed to appear in court on Thursday but could not arrest him because they could not confirm there was a warrant for him, Lt. Dave Casto said.

Gary Smith was due for a hearing in connection to allegedly causing a train derailment in Salem last July, but he didn't show up and a warrant was to have been issued for his arrest.

Smith, 58, of 532 Benton Road, Salem, allegedly stood on Norfolk Southern railroad tracks forcing a westbound train to make an emergency stop and causing it to derail.

Smith was indicted on a fourth-degree felony of interference with the operation of a train.

The train derailed near the Allen Road crossing.

He was to appear for competency hearing before Columbiana County Common Pleas Judge David Tobin when he didn't show up.

Casto said police responded to a medical call in the 200 block of Rose Ave. at 6:13 p.m. Friday where they found Smith who said he wanted to go to the hospital.

Casto said police were aware he failed to show up in court and contacted the sheriff's office to see if there was a warrant but could not get confirmation.

"We ran him for a warrant," Casto said, adding they had to let him go. Smith was transported to the hospital by an ambulance crew.

Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net