Utah officials release video of train hitting car
Jan 6, 2012, 11:55 PM
WEST JORDAN, Utah (AP) – Utah public transit officials who released footage of a commuter train plowing into a car say they hope the footage teaches drivers and pedestrians to be safer around rails.
A 29-year-old man was injured when his car careened through crossing arms and into the path of an oncoming TRAX train Tuesday in West Jordan, about 15 miles south of Salt Lake City.
Onboard cameras captured the crossing arms falling from the force and the crushed sedan. The Utah Transit Authority released the video to media outlets Friday.
West Jordan police say the car was traveling parallel to the train before turning right at an intersection and onto the tracks.
Utah Transit Authority spokesman Gerry Carpenter says the crash comes after the worst year on record for accidents involving the Salt Lake City-area light rail system. The system saw 13 accidents involving trains and the public, including five deaths.
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