BIKE: SUV, light-rail car collide

[Jeb Boyt]

I love it that it was reporter from Channel 2 that got hit racing the train.

Jeb

----Original Message Follows----
From: Ted Ledbetter <tedled>
To: forum-bicycleaustin.info
Subject: BIKE: SUV, light-rail car collide
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2003 08:18:22 -0600

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2236622

Nov. 20, 2003, 2:04AM

SUV, light-rail car collide during train's test run
By MIKE GLENN
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

A Metro light rail car and a sport utility vehicle collided downtown during 
the train's test run Wednesday night. Police said it was the first accident 
involving the city's new light rail system.

The accident occurred about 8:30 p.m. when the driver of the Jeep Cherokee 
turned in front of the train at Main and Gray, Metro police said.

"The lady in the truck, she made an illegal left turn," Metro police Sgt. 
Antonio Ford said. "She cut right in front of the train."

KPRC-Channel 2 officials confirmed that Krista Marino, the station's health 
reporter, was driving the Jeep when it was struck by the train. Marino, who 
was not on duty at the time, was cited by police for making an illegal turn.

The train clipped the rear of the Cherokee, causing only minimal damage to 
both vehicles, Ford said. No one was injured.

Ken Connaughton, Metropolitan Transit Authority spokesman, said train car 
107 was traveling northbound on a test run when the vehicle made an illegal 
left turn in front of the train. The train car hit the vehicle, causing 
minimal damage to both the train and passenger vehicle.

"We have been involved in an intensive training effort for a year, and we 
hope that that will minimize any situations like this," Connaughton said. 
"However, for those people who don't pay attention to the train, there's not 
a lot we can do."

A Metro police vehicle was escorting the train at the time of the accident. 
Wednesday's incident underscores the need for motorists to be aware of the 
fact that "there's a new element here, a new transportation player that you 
need to be aware of," Connaughton said.

KHOU-Channel 11 contributed information for the origination of this story.


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