Man Escapes Injury After Train Hits Car

Despite flashing red warning lights and a loud horn, a man drove his car into an Oxnard railroad intersection Wednesday and was struck by a slow-moving train.

Malibu resident Joseph Buffer appeared to be uninjured in the noontime collision at Oxnard Boulevard and Wooley Road, witnesses said.

Buffer, who had been driving to see a movie at an Oxnard theater, was able to push his smashed 1992 Audi off the tracks before driving home. He planned to skip the movie, he said.

“If the guy was going 5 mph faster, I’d be history,” Buffer said.

Engineer Ron Baker of the Ventura County Railway Co. in Oxnard was heading west toward Port Hueneme at about 8 mph when Baker’s car came into view on the tracks.

Buffer said he had his windows rolled up and the air conditioner and radio on. He said he did not see the train and proceeded because he believed the red warning lights were malfunctioning, he said.

Despite the slow speeds, the impact smashed the passenger door of the car and shattered the passenger window.

“He’s lucky to be alive,” Baker said.

A city firefighter helped Buffer push his car to the roadway. Buffer cleaned up broken glass on his front seat and left.

Laura Soto was working at a nearby carwash when she heard the train’s horn sound three times before the collision.

Oxnard police officers who responded were unavailable for comment Wednesday night.