Train shears car in half after driver tries to beat gates

Author: Associated Press
Published:

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – An Amtrak Silver Star train sheared a car in half with three people on board at a Jacksonville railroad crossing after authorities say a man went around the crossing arms. All three people in the car survived.

Authorities say the collision occurred Tuesday morning. An Amtrak spokesman says Train 97 had just left Jacksonville and was bound for Miami with 171 passengers.

Surveillance video shows the car was almost across the rails when the train hit its back end. The car was sheared in half and the rear section landed about 20 feet away.

The driver of the car suffered minor injuries and the woman in the back seat was thrown out on impact. She was taken to UF Health Jacksonville, where she was listed in fair condition.

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