Motorist Followed GPS, Accidentally Drove On Tracks In Tuesday Night's Caltrain Accident

The driver of a car that was hit by a Caltrain train on Tuesday in Atherton accidentally turned onto the tracks and got the vehicle stuck, firefighters said.

There were no reported injuries in the crash.

Emergency crews responded at 7:31 p.m. on Tuesday to the Fair Oaks Lane crossing after receiving a report Locomotive 918, with four passenger cars, had struck a passenger vehicle that was on the tracks.

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Firefighters said the driver of the Toyota Prius had mistakenly made a turn onto the tracks on the direction of his GPS unit.

Firefighters said visibility at the time was compromised due to heavy rainfall and darkness.

Firefighters said the driver had realized his mistake but not before the car left the roadway and became stuck on the tracks. The man saw the oncoming southbound train and exited the car before the crash.

The train hit the Prius and dragged it at least 1,500 feet before the train was able to come to a complete stop. The train’s passengers were able to safely evacuate out of the rear of the train.

The vehicle did catch fire and had to be removed from under the train, and the train was towed San Jose for repair.

--Bay City News