Nebraska teen receives probation in derailment of BNSF train - Trains
Summary
Car Crash Bennet Nebraska in Bennet, Nebraska: A 19-year-old Nebraska man named Hertzler threw a switch in Bennet, Nebraska, southeast of Lincoln, diverting a BNSF loaded coal train onto a siding where it struck an empty railcar. Two locomotives and five cars derailed, causing an estimated $350,000 in damage. Hertzler recorded video of the incident and was convicted in April 2026, receiving five years of probation instead of a potential two-year prison sentence and $10,000 fine.
Publicly reported parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hertzler | At-fault party |
Original reporting
Nebraska teen receives probation in derailment of BNSF train - Trains