Minivan Driver Suspected Of DUI In Collision With SMART Train

SANTA ROSA, CA — The driver of a minivan who collided with a SMART train Wednesday in Santa Rosa is suspected of driving under the influence of prescription drugs, Santa Rosa police said.

The crash was reported at 11:04 a.m. Wednesday on the railroad tracks at West Steele Lane, adjacent to Coffey Lane.

"Initial reports indicated that after the crossing arms had lowered to stop traffic, the vehicle (a white minivan) drove through the arms and was struck by the oncoming SMART Train," Santa Rosa police Sgt. Josh Ludtke said. "The train struck the rear driver’s-side of the vehicle as it crossed the tracks, spinning it around, and it came to rest on the northwest side of the intersection."

The driver of the minivan, a 57-year-old Santa Rosa man, was the only person in the car and was conscious when officers got there but he could not speak and was not alert, Ludtke said.

Personnel with the Santa Rosa Fire Department responded alongside an AMR ambulance crew. Once firefighter-paramedics extricated the driver, who was trapped in the minivan, he was taken to a hospital, fire officials said.

The driver did not suffer major injuries, according to police. He was contacted by SRPD accident investigators at the hospital, where he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription drugs, Ludtke said.

Police did not disclose the driver's name.

"It appeared the vehicle had been traveling south on Coffey Lane and it had turned west onto West Steele Lane just east of the tracks," Ludtke said. "The vehicle likely drove into the opposing lane of traffic on West Steele Lane to go around the crossing arms and was struck by the train as it was clearing the intersection to continue west on West Steele Lane."

No injuries were reported to anyone on the train, the Santa Rosa Fire Department said.

It was not clear how long the incident affected train service. A spokesperson for SMART could not immediately be reached by email Wednesday afternoon.