A man tried to drive around a railroad crossing bar in Virginia and was struck by an Amtrak train barreling at almost 80 mph on Thursday morning, authorities said. The man was flown to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Virginia State Police said that alcohol was a factor in the collision. The man, Untron Drew, disregarded both the crossing bar and warning lights, said state police Sgt. Michelle Anaya.
The train had just begun its run from Norfolk to Boston when the crash happened, just before 6 a.m., in the town of Waverly. Amtrak said that there were no injuries among the 49 people on the train, 44 passengers and five crew.
The train did not derail and later continued toward Boston, running about two hours late, Amtrak said.
Drew was driving a police cruiser that had been retired and auctioned, the sergeant said.