Officials: SUV in California Train Crash Drove Around Rail

By TOM VERDIN | January 30, 2012

Fire and transit officials say video of a light rail train and sport utility vehicle colliding in Sacramento, Calif., shows that the SUV driver tried to go around the crossing’s guardrail.

City fire Assistant Chief Niko King says cameras from both the crossing and the front of the train captured video showing the crossing arms were functioning properly when the train hit the Nissan Pathfinder on Saturday, killing a man, woman and baby in the SUV and injuring seven others.

King says a freight train had just passed and the guardrail remained down because the light rail train was approaching.

He says the driver of the SUV then tried to go around the arms and the train hit the SUV, pushing it about 30 yards down the track.

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