PORTLAND, Maine — A man and two children were in a vehicle when it was struck by a train Friday morning in Portland.
Police said it occurred about 8 a.m. at the Brighton Avenue crossing.
Car still on tracks near Brighton Ave and St. John St intersection. Train struck car. Driver taken to hospital @WGME pic.twitter.com/M9VEGfo1fq
— Lexie O’Connor (@LexieWGME) January 27, 2017
The driver, 56-year-old Derso Mekonen, was taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center with minor injuries, according to police.
Both children, ages 5 and 9, were not hurt in the crash. They are not related to Mekonen and were released to their mother.
Police said Mekonen drove his 2008 Nissan Sentra around a line of vehicles stopped for the railroad crossing and into the path of the Amtrak Downeaster Train 682.
“We are getting some reports from witnesses that the car drove around the railroad crossings, which were down and functioning properly,” Portland Assistant Police Chief Vern Malloch said.
The crossing signals were working and the gates were down before the collision, according to police.
Police said Mekonen will likely face charges.