Car Collides With Train In Bristol

By Gary Gray
Reporter / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: August 18, 2008

BRISTOL, Va. – A woman was treated and released from Bristol Regional Medical Center on Monday after driving her vehicle onto a railroad crossing and into a train.

Lucille Spencer, 69, was traveling west on Euclid Avenue near Commonwealth Avenue at about 1:30 p.m. when she drove through the crossing arm and hit one of the train’s cars, said Bristol Virginia Police Department officer Kevin Snow.

“This is still under investigation, but it appears she drove into the crossing and struck the lower portion of the car where large valves are positioned underneath,” Snow said. “It’s still not clear whether she knew the train was approaching or if she accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake.”

Spencer’s silver Mitsubishi Mirage suffered severe damage to the front end, a flattened roof and a busted front windshield.

Snow said the train stopped immediately after impact and the train’s engineer was not at fault.

Spencer’s car bounced off the train and ended up in the eastbound lane nearest the curb, Snow said.

“For some reason – we don’t know why – she went under the gate and damaged some of the valves under the car,” said police Capt. Maynard F. Ratcliff II. “She was complaining of neck pain and she was transported to the hospital.”

Traffic on Euclid from Commonwealth to Bob Morrison Boulevard was halted for about 30 minutes.

| (276) 645-2512