Wife hears as Katy driver on phone killed by train Man's wife listened as train crash happened

A Katy man was on his cell phone with his wife when he crashed into a freight train on Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Investigators said they are unsure whether Santiago Cadena, 33, was trying to beat the train or didn't see it coming before the crash happened around 2:30 p.m.

Cadena's wife told authorities that she overheard the wrenching, screeching crash, said DPS Sgt. Chuck Havard.

A west-bound Union Pacific freight train slammed into the cab of Cadena's empty flat bed truck, splintering it into pieces.

The truck had been heading south on FM 2830 and crossed the tracks about a block from where the farm road intersects U.S. 90 in Raywood.

Sgt. Havard said the train had sounded its horn and the crossing lights were flashing, but this intersection has no crossing arms.

Investigators are still checking the train's speed but believe it was traveling about 30 mph.

Cadena was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Because of its weight and power, Havard said, the train was not damaged. None of its cargo spilled and no one else was injured, he said.

cindy.horswell@chron.com