RCMP have charged two people after a train derailment forced the closure of a busy Edmonton highway for hours back in 2008.
Police allege the accused stole a piece of equipment from a nearby construction site and parked it on the tracks.
On July 10th, a CN train was crossing an overpass on Yellowhead Trail when it struck the piece of equipment.
CTV News was told the engineer saw the construction equipment and activated the brakes. Once the train struck the equipment, it caused two engines and 12 cars to jump the track just east of Cloverbar Road.
A small fire then broke out on one of the cars, but emergency crews were able to extinguish it before it was able to spread.
Edward Arthur Valle, 26, of Sherwood Park is charged with mischief endangering life, mischief over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.
The other suspect, Ian Douglas Gillie, 26, of Edmonton, is facing the same charges, but has yet to be located by police.
Investigators now believe alcohol played a role in the incident.
Highway 16 between Sherwood Drive and Highway 21 was closed for most of the day due to the crash.
