A 24-year-old man from Grand Rapids was unharmed after driving through activated railway crossings and was hit by an Amtrak train on Friday night.
At about 11:40 p.m., Ottawa County Sheriffs ’deputies were sent to the 80th Avenue and Chicago-Drive area for crash facilities involving trains.
Deputies who responded learned that the Ford Explorer was driving south on 80th Avenue. The driver, a man from Grand Rapids, looked at his cell phone and crashed into a railway intersection. The SUV was then hit by an Amtrak train to the east. The sheriff’s office said the crossing of arms at this time was lowered and activated.
No one was injured in the accident, the sheriff’s office said.
The train was slightly damaged, but it was able to continue to the Grand Rapids after it was inspected by CSX staff. The sheriff’s office said the SUV was badly damaged.
Deputies recognized the Grand Rapids man several civil offenses for causing the crash.
The sheriff’s office said the causes of the accident were alcohol and drugs.