Crime & Safety
Freight Train Hits Car In DUI Crash: Thornton Police
The driver of the car went around the lowered railroad gates before being struck and later admitted to drinking alcohol, police said.
THORNTON, IL — A motorist was cited for driving under the influence in connection with a crash involving a freight train over the weekend in Thornton, police said.
Officers responded around 12:30 a.m. Saturday to the area of Margaret and Hunter streets, where they found a Toyota Corolla on the railroad tracks that had been hit by a Union Pacific locomotive, according to police.
The crossing gates were down and the warning lights were on at the time of the crash, police said, adding an investigation revealed the driver went around the lowered railroad gates before being struck.
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The driver appeared impaired, later admitted to drinking alcohol and was cited for driving under the influence and multiple traffic violations, according to police, who said he was taken to Ingalls Hospital.
No one else was hurt, the vehicle was towed and the damaged railroad crossing equipment was reported, police said.
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