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Light Rail Train Hits Vehicle Stuck on Tracks

Folsom Police say a light rail train was unable to avoid hitting a vehicle stuck on the tracks parallel to Folsom Boulevard at Iron Point Road.

The incident was reported to police at about 7:17 pm. When officers arrived they found the driver of the vehicle standing nearby with her 7 and 10 year old daughters. She told officers she fell asleep while driving northbound on Folsom Boulevard south of Iron Point Road.

Her vehicle left the roadway and became disabled on the light rail tracks. Passersby stopped and assisted the driver and her children from the vehicle. Within minutes a northbound Regional Transit Light Rail train, unable to stop, collided with the disabled vehicle.

There were four passengers and an operator on the Light Rail trail. No one was injured. Service to Folsom was interrupted and traffic diverted until the vehicle and debris could be removed from the tracks. The vehicle involved sustained major damage. The Light Rail train received superficial damage and was able to continue on once the tracks were cleared.

Lieutenant Perry Albers said, "The driver and her children are very fortunate passersby stopped to lend aid. Had she and her children remained in the vehicle the outcome could have been much more tragic."