Train hits stalled car, no one injured

A vehicle got stuck on the train tracks at Central Valley Highway and East Los Angeles Avenue in Shafter at about 5:33 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and was struck by an Amtrak train. A 55-year-old female was able to exit the vehicle before a tow truck could remove it from the tracks.

Amtrak train 714, traveling south from Oakland to Bakersfield, came to a stop just beyond the train crossing after colliding with the car, according to Shafter Police Department Lt. Marvin Gomez.

"Normally, we would call BNSF, but everything happened simultaneously. Once we received the call, the vehicle had not yet been hit, but within a minute, it was struck," Gomez added.

No one in the vehicle was injured. However, a passenger on the train experienced some medical discomfort, prompting a response from the fire department, though no one was seriously hurt. The driver of the stuck vehicle was using her cell phone, a handheld device, but she was not cited. No alcohol or drugs were involved.

Amtrak's Jason Abrams said the train had 42 passengers on board and sustained significant damage, rendering it unable to continue its journey. Passengers were delayed for 70 minutes while waiting for a bus to transport them to the Bakersfield station.

"Ultimately, the BNSF police will complete the investigation. We took the report and are forwarding it to them. They were notified of the incident and can pursue charges if warranted, but there was no dui or anything like that," Gomez said.