Watch as a train slams into SUV in Utah seconds after frantic driver flees
Video has captured the dramatic moment a train hit an SUV in the Salt Lake City suburb of Layton.
The Utah Transit Authority said that one of its FrontRunner trains hit a white SUV, which is shown in the video stop on the train tracks after being rear-ended by a truck on Feb. 4. As the drives over the tracks, the crossing arms come down and the driver attempts to reverse out of harm's way.
The driver backs up into the crossing arms before fleeing the vehicle. The train then barrels toward the SUV and slams into it, sending debris flying.
The driver was not injured. Damages to the train are in the "six figures," said transit authority, which released the video.
See the video here
The Utah Transit Authority said the train was going 67 miles per hour when the emergency brake was applied. The speed at the time of impact of the train was 32 miles per hour.
The transit authority shared take-aways from the crash:
- "It's important to remember that trains do not swerve − they cannot avoid objects on the tracks and can take over a mile to stop, depending on speed. It's crucial for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to be hyper-aware near train tracks and crossings."
- "If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, please push through the crossing arms. The arms are designed to break away and while it may cause some minor damage to your vehicle, it's much less than being struck by a train. Another option is to pull forward through the crossing − if it is clear to do so and there is enough time."
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for Paste BN. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.