An 82-year-old New Jersey Woman Survives Freight Train Crash after car pushed nearly a quarter of a mile down the tracks, emerging with only minor injuries in an incident that authorities described as remarkable given the force and scale of the collision. The crash occurred on the afternoon before Thanksgiving in South Brunswick, where the woman inadvertently stopped her vehicle directly on active railroad tracks despite believing she had halted safely before the crossing.
The ensuing impact, captured in photographs released by police, showed a gray sedan forced perpendicular across the rails as a Conrail freight train approached with no opportunity to avoid the collision. Emergency responders later confirmed that the woman sustained only a minor leg injury and was transported to a local hospital, while the roadway remained closed for hours as crews removed debris and examined the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Details of the Thanksgiving Eve Collision
According to the South Brunswick Police Department, the incident unfolded around 3:05 p.m. on Route 535 near Stults Road, an area frequently traveled by both local residents and commercial vehicles. Police stated that the woman had approached a railroad crossing where warning lights were flashing to signal an oncoming train. She told responding officers that she believed she had stopped before reaching the tracks, but investigators found her vehicle positioned directly over them, leaving no clearance when the train approached.
Moments later, a Conrail freight train traveling through the corridor struck the sedan with significant force. The train was unable to come to a complete stop immediately and continued pushing the vehicle approximately a quarter of a mile along the tracks. Officials noted that freight trains require extensive braking distance due to their weight and speed, making sudden stops physically impossible even when engineers detect an obstruction.
Images shared by authorities showed the train heading directly toward the sedan, which appeared crosswise on the rails. Additional photos taken after the train finally stopped revealed the vehicle heavily damaged but still mostly intact, a visual detail that police said underscored the unusual outcome of the crash. Despite the severity of the collision, the woman was conscious when first responders arrived and communicated clearly with officers. Emergency medical crews treated her at the scene before transporting her to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
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Route 535 remained closed for roughly two hours as authorities inspected the tracks, removed the vehicle, and coordinated with railroad personnel. Police later reiterated the importance of maintaining full visibility around railroad crossings and ensuring that drivers remain behind designated stop lines when warning lights activate. While they did not release the woman’s identity, they confirmed she was expected to recover fully from her injuries.
Images Released by Police and Initial Response
The South Brunswick Police Department released several photographs documenting the moments before and after the collision, offering a detailed view of how the incident progressed. In one of the images taken as the train approached, the sedan can be seen directly in the train’s path, positioned horizontally across the rails in a way that made any evasive action impossible. The train’s headlights are visible in the distance as it nears the crossing, with the vehicle sitting motionless on the tracks.
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Other photos captured the aftermath, showing the sedan wedged against the train after being pushed down the tracks. The car’s front and side panels bore extensive damage, but the passenger compartment remained largely intact. Police officials highlighted this detail in their communication, noting that the survival of the driver with only a minor leg injury was extraordinary given the dynamics of the crash.
Authorities and emergency teams arrived quickly after the incident was reported. Upon reaching the scene, officers ensured the woman was safely removed from the vehicle and evaluated for injuries. The railroad company was contacted immediately, and train operations in the vicinity were temporarily halted as crews worked to clear the wreckage. Traffic on Route 535 was redirected during the cleanup, causing significant delays for drivers traveling through the area just ahead of the holiday weekend.
In statements shared with the public, police emphasized the inherent risk associated with railroad crossings and urged drivers to exercise heightened caution, especially near intersections with active warning systems. Investigators continued to gather information from the scene, reviewing the positioning of the vehicle, the functioning of crossing signals, and any additional factors that may have contributed to the crash.
Separate Fatal Crash in South Brunswick Hours Later
Just hours after the freight train collision, South Brunswick authorities responded to a second, unrelated incident that resulted in a fatality. At approximately 4:24 p.m., a three-vehicle crash occurred on New Road between Route 522 and Route 1, claiming the life of a 61-year-old woman from the township. Police said the woman was transported to a hospital following the multi-vehicle collision but later died from her injuries.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Bureau opened a joint investigation into the fatal crash, as is standard procedure in serious incidents involving multiple vehicles and significant injury. Details regarding the cause of the second crash, the identities of those involved, and the sequence of events have not yet been publicly released while investigators continue reviewing evidence and conducting interviews.
The two incidents, occurring within hours of one another and in close proximity within the township, placed increased pressure on emergency services during an already busy holiday period. Officials stated that both scenes required extensive police presence, roadway closures, and coordination with outside agencies. The department issued public advisories to help residents avoid the affected roads and to inform the community about the ongoing investigations.
In the aftermath of both collisions, authorities reiterated general safety guidance for motorists navigating the region’s roadways and rail crossings during peak travel times. They encouraged drivers to remain attentive, adhere to traffic signals, and approach intersections with heightened awareness, particularly in areas with mixed commercial and freight movement.
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