Women Jump From Car As Train Bears Down

WOONSOCKET, RI — Two women escaped from a car after it became stuck on the railroad tracks and shortly before the Providence-Worcester freight train slammed it. According to Woonsocket police Sgt. Matthew Ryan, the accident happened around 10:14 p.m. near Manville Road and Hamlet Avenue. The driver, Olivia Colby, was charged with driving under the influence. She was also cited for refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Colby, 21, of Westborough, MA, told police she and her passenger, whose name was not released, had been at Cowboys in Woonsocket and were on their way back to Bellingham, Mass. Colby, who was driving, was unfamiliar with the area, and said her friend told her to drive straight down Hamlet Avenue toward Florence Drive. She drove straight onto the tracks and ultimately became stuck. The women stepped out of the car, a grey Hyundai, tried to move it and also tried to call for help. They were unsuccessful.

Then they saw the lights flashing on the railroad track arms, which had descended. That signaled a train was coming and they cleared out of the way. The train hit the car and pushed it some 300 feet down the track.

Colby was released to her parents' custody, police said.