Driver Trying to Beat Train to Crossing Is Killed

A motorist died when he ignored warning signals and drove around a railroad crossing arm and his car was struck by a freight train in North Hollywood Friday.

The crash near Tujunga Avenue south of Sherman Way was reported about 1:50 a.m., said Capt. John Lawrence of the Los Angeles city Fire Department. Lawrence said the driver died at the scene. The motorist, a 29-year-old man whose name was withheld until his family was contacted, was alone in the car heading north on Tujunga Avenue, said Police Sgt. Fred Meck of the Valley Traffic Division.

“He went around the crossing arm. The other one on the opposite side had come down. He thought he could beat the train,” said valley traffic Officer Paul Skinner. The train’s engineer told police he saw the moving car on the tracks, but was unable to stop the eastbound train in time to avoid hitting the auto, police said.

The train was traveling at 25 m.p.h., Skinner said.