MILFORD — A Metro-North train on its way to New Haven smashed into an unoccupied SUV parked on the tracks near Rock Lane Tuesday night, officials said.
One person on the train was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for complaints of back pain, said Fire Capt. Michael McDaniel.
The crash happened at about 7:50 p.m. after a Nissan SUV that was “possibly stolen or abandoned” appeared to have slid down an embankment, coming to a rest on the tracks, McDaniel said.
The train was traveling at the “correct” speed of about 60 mph when it slammed into the rear of the SUV, sending it off the tracks, said Metro-North spokesman Dan Brucker.
The train did not derail and sustained only dents. After about a 90-minute delay, the train continued on to New Haven, Brucker said. The passengers were able to remain on the train while police and fire officials investigated.
Police spokesman Vaughan Dumas said if the car was left on the tracks intentionally the responsible party would face felony charges for endangering the lives of everyone on the train.
The crash remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
— James Tinley