No injuries were reported in a crash between a passenger vehicle and an Amtrak train at the Washington Street train crossing in Napavine on Thursday.
The passenger car was reportedly crossing the train tracks when a southbound train traveling 63 miles per hour struck the front passenger’s side corner of the vehicle, causing it to spin, according to Lewis County Fire District 5 Chief Dan Mahoney.
Witnesses reported seeing the crossing arm go up too early while an Amtrak train was traveling southbound, prompting the vehicle to move onto the tracks before the train had passed.
District 5 was dispatched to the scene at 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 27.
An investigation to rule out equipment malfunction is underway, according to Mahoney.
The train, which sustained no damage, immediately stopped after the collision.
BNSF Railway had the remaining 45 trains that crossed Washington Street on that track Thursday all come to a full stop at that rail crossing, causing some traffic delays.
“It looks like (BNSF) took this very seriously,” Mahoney said.
