Driver stuck on tracks near Garner narrowly escapes...again
A speeding Amtrak train hit a car stuck on the tracks in Wake County Sunday morning, and it's not the first time this driver escaped with her life.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol said it happened at Auburn Road and Auburn-Knightdale Road, outside of Garner.
The crash happened shortly before 11 a.m. Train 80, the Carolinian, was traveling from Charlotte to Boston, Amtrak said.
Witnesses told authorities a woman's vehicle appeared to be stuck on the tracks after running through a crossing arm, despite it being in the down position with warning lights and bells activated.
Initially, authorities said no one was injured. The driver of the car was reportedly walking around the scene declining medical assistance. Our crew said paramedics eventually took her to WakeMed with apparent minor injuries.
Emergency workers said the same car and the same woman crashed through the same crossing arm two weeks ago. That day, authorities said she sped across the tracks and struck a tree to avoid being hit by the train. Firefighters said the front-end damage on her car is from that accident.
The rear-end damage happened Sunday. Highway Patrol is investigating.
A spokesperson with Amtrak said 222 passengers were on board at the time of the crash. No one on the train was injured. The train was delayed for about two hours.
