Driver unharmed after train strikes stuck car in Indian River County, police say

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A freight train struck and totaled a car in the early morning hours of Sunday, but the driver managed to escape the vehicle before the collision, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office said.

The car had become stuck in gravel while attempting to cross the tracks at the train crossing at the intersection of Highlands Drive and Old Dixie Highway, deputies said. The agency did not specifically say what time the crash occurred, or say what kind of car was involved.

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The car's driver escaped his vehicle before it was struck by the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) train, which was unable to stop in time, deputies said. The man wasn't injured.

The sheriff's office is investigating the accident with FEC investigators.The Highlands Drive crossing was reopened Sunday morning after responders cleared the scene.

"Please, obey the safety equipment at railroad grade crossings," the sheriff's office said in its Facebook post. "They are there to keep you safe ...  And never ever try to 'beat the train'!"

Max Chesnes is a TCPalm environment reporter focusing on issues facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes, email him at max.chesnes@tcpalm.com and give him a call at 772-978-2224.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Train strikes stuck car in Indian River County, sheriff's office says