Police: Car Driver Caused Train Accident
Prince William County Police have charged the driver, who they said disregarded the signs and roadway markings.
The driver of a car that collided with a train on Lee Highway in Gainesville Wednesday evening has been charged, Prince William County Police said.
Officer Dennis Jensen, a spokesman for the department, said in a press release the collision was the fault of the driver, who "disregarded the signs and roadway markings and stopped on the tracks. The train was unable to stop and struck the rear of the car."
No one was injured, but traffic on Lee Highway was shut down for two-and-a-half hours, Jensen said.
The only person in the train was the conductor. There were two other vehicles that had also stopped in the no-stopping zone, but those vehicles were not involved in the accident. Police issued tickets to the drivers of those two vehicles.
The driver of the car that stopped on the tracks was released on a summons.
Unknown Sender
12:52 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Thanks for the update. I was wondering about this story to see if something medical or mechanical had stopped the car on the tracks. I see now it was just one of you stupid humans at large again. Glad to see the authorities handed out other tickets as well. They were deserved.
I find it alarming there was only a conductor aboard. There should be an engineer AND conductor. Or can the railroads get away with one man crews now (It takes 3 [onboard] to safely operate a train!)? The article says no one was injured, who cares about the dolt that caused the accident.... is the train crew ok?
Mary C. Stachyra
9:33 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
Everyone is fine, no injuries.
Diane Mederos
10:30 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
I was NOT on the tracks. I followed a line of traffic and was waiting to safely cross the tracks, when I was sideswiped by the train. I had no warning: flashing lights, horns, bells, headlights. There were two cars behind me as well. There have been at least three accidents in the past year and gate failure was mentioned more than once and a lawsuit. Look it up on the internet.
Mary C. Stachyra
5:47 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Thanks for telling us your side of the story, Diane.