Marijuana Growing Station Found after Man Hits Train

TROUP � The blood trail of a man who hit a train in Troup led authorities to his home, where a major marijuana growing operation was discovered, officials say. According to KETK, Troup Police Chief Pat Hendrix says a Troup man hit a Union Pacific train that was going northbound at 10 miles per hour shortly after 6:45 Wednesday evening, at the crossing of Railroad Loop and Front Street. A crew of Union Pacific workers were on another train that was stopped on the tracks nearby. They say the tried to help the man but he ran away.

The Union Pacific Police were contacted by the train conductor after the man struck the train. UPP got in touch with the Troup Police Department to inform them of the accident. When police arrived, they noticed a trail of blood leading away from the scene of the accident. Authorities followed the trail for about 200 yards to a house on County Line Road. Upon arriving at the house, multiple officers, as well as EMS, were dispatched to the address.

According to authorities, police entered the home to find 18 marijuana plants hanging from the ceiling, along with a blunt rolling station. Officers did not find the man in the house, but noticed a travel trailer in the yard. Authorities then went inside the trailer and discovered eight more marijuana plants and the injured man, according to officials. The man was suffering from broken ribs and a deep cut, exposing the bone, on his arm. The individual was then taken to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. Chief Hendrix says the man has not been arrested, but upon his release from the hospital, he is expected to be charged with possession of five to 50 pounds of an illegal substance.