Sept. 22, 2026
CRAWFORD COUNTY, Wis. — A 42-year-old Iowa man was arrested Saturday after a BNSF freight train was forced to make an emergency stop when he was reported walking on railroad tracks in Crawford County, authorities said.
According to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, the county communications center received a report from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway that a man was on the tracks, prompting the train crew to initiate emergency braking. Deputies responding to the area later located the man walking along Wisconsin Highway 35. Authorities said the individual showed signs of drug impairment and initially refused to identify himself.
During the encounter, the man allegedly attempted to discard drug paraphernalia containing a crystal-like substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the sheriff’s office. The man was identified as Ryan Troendle, 42, of Lansing, Iowa. Investigators determined Troendle had multiple active warrants in Iowa related to assault and burglary charges.
Troendle was arrested and taken to the Crawford County Jail. He faces charges of methamphetamine possession and obstructing an officer, in addition to being held on the Iowa warrants. BNSF also issued him a trespassing citation.
The incident occurred Sept. 19 in the Town of Freeman.
Troendle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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