Crime & Safety
Driver Who Went Around Barrier Injured In Light Rail Crash: CMPD
According to police, the driver of the Toyota went around the lowered railroad crossing arms and was hit by a light rail train.
CHARLOTTE, NC — A driver who drove around lowered railroad crossing arms signaling the approach of a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) light rail train received non-life threatening injuries after the train hit his car, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said.
The Sept. 10 crash occurred shortly after 12 p.m. in the 4600 block of Sweden Road.
According to CMPD, officers responded to the crash site and found a black 2014 Toyota Corolla with heavy left-side damage next to the train tracks. The light rail train had damage to its front end, as well as scratches on its right side.
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Police said a preliminary investigation found that the Toyota's driver, who was identified as Ernal Dean Fulp, 62, drove around the railroad crossing arms sa its red lights flashed.
"The train crashed into the driver’s side of the Toyota as the Toyota was crossing the tracks," CMPD said. "The CATS LYNX had nine passengers on board, but none were injured."
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Fulp was cited with reckless driving and failure to stop at a railroad crossing.
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