HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Two people died after a train reportedly slammed into a car in northeast Harris County Saturday evening.
According to officials from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred in the 12900 block of Beaumont Highway and Van Hut Lane around 8 p.m.
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Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a news conference that a Chrysler 300 attempted to cut around the railroad crossing arms, when an Amtrak passenger train collided with the vehicle.
The vehicle then engulfed in flames, according to Gonzalez.
Deputies said two people were ejected from the vehicle. Both died at the scene.
Witnesses told deputies that the arms were down at the time of the crash, and the vehicle tried to beat the train.
The Amtrak train had three cars and 81 passengers. The train had minor damage in the front, according to Sheriff Gonzalez.
No injuries were reported to any of the passengers or crew members onboard.
Read Amtrak’s full statement below:
“On April 16, Amtrak train 1 was traveling from New Orleans to Los Angeles when an occupied vehicle obstructing the track came into contact with the train about 12 miles from Houston Station. There have been no reported injuries to the 81 passengers or crew onboard. Amtrak is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident.”