(The Associated Press circulated the following story on September 28.)
ANOKA, Minn. — A driver swerved around a railroad crossing barrier despite warning lights indicating an approaching train, which smashed into the car, killing all four people inside, authorities said.
The Anoka County sheriff’s department received a call from the train’s engineer reporting he had hit a vehicle Friday night, county dispatchers said.
The victims, who were pronounced dead at the scene, weren’t immediately identified Saturday.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Steve Forsberg said the train, on its way from St. Paul to Portland, Ore., was traveling 59 mph. He said the crew applied emergency brakes when they saw the car but couldn’t stop in time.
Forsberg said the crossarms and warning lights were working properly.
“There were bits and pieces of the car all over the place,” said Pat Spieker, who lives about a block away from the crash site. He said the trains always sound horns as they approach.
Anoka is about 25 miles northwest of Minneapolis.