Amtrak Train Collides With Vehicle in Virginia

An Amtrak train collided with a vehicle that crossed the tracks despite warning lights and an active crossing bar in south central Virginia Thursday morning, injuring the driver of the car and delaying the trip, authorities said.

The accident occurred on Route 40 in Waverly around 6 a.m. Thursday.

Virginia State Police say the driver of a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria attempted to drive around the functioning crossing bar meant to keep cars off the track while trains pass. 

The train, which did not derail, was going 79 mph when it struck the car, a former police vehicle that had been auctioned off.

Amtrak spokeswoman Christina Leeds tells The Associated Press in an email that the Northeast Regional train 174 was traveling from Norfolk, Va., to Boston with 46 passengers on board.

None of the passengers or crew members on the trian were injured, authorities said.

The driver of the car has been identified as Untron Drew, said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya in a statement. He was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Authorities believe alcohol was a factor in the incident.

The train, due to make a stop in Washington, D.C., at Union Station around 9:45 a.m., is now continuing on its original route about two hours behind schedule.

Waverly is about 50 miles southeast of Richmond, Va.

The crash comes two days after an SUV collided with a MARC train in Maryland during Tuesday's snowy weather. Two people were killed in that crash. In that case, investigators were looking at the possibility that the SUV maneuvered to avoid a stop gate.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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