Driver Of Flatbed Trailer Hit By Train During Parade In Midland Identified
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: November 20, 2012
The San Antonio Express News reports that Dale Andrew Hayden of Midland was driving the doomed flatbed truck -- which was carrying 12 military veterans who had been wounded in combat, their 12 spouses and 2 escorts -- in the November 15th parade.
A Union Pacific freight train plowed into the flatbed trailer as it crossed the railroad tracks near the intersection of West Front Street and South Garfield Street around 4:35 PM on November 15th.
Four military veterans died in the crash, and 17 other people were injured.
Hayden -- a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan -- had been working at Smith Industries at the time of the incident.
Hayden, 50, is reportedly under a physician's care and very emotionally shaken.
Hayden has retained Midland attorney Hal Brockett to represent him.
Brockett told The San Antonio Express News that Hayden is not in shape to talk to the media.
Smith Industries has reportedly hired Dallas-based lawyer Doug Fletcher to help determine what was happening before the freight train plowed into Hayden's trailer.
Brockett says he's working with Fletcher in the investigation.


