Thursday, May 13, 2010

Driver hurt when minivan, River Line train collide

A southbound River Line train struck a minivan at a Riverton railroad crossing Thursday, seriously injuring the vehicle's driver, according to authorities.

The minivan, carrying two adults and an infant, was traveling north on River Road, parallel to the tracks, when it turned into the path of the train at Main Street shortly before 11 a.m., NJ Transit spokesman Dan Stessel said.

The crossing gates were down, and red lights were flashing, Stessel said. A red light at the intersection and an illuminated no-right-turn symbol also were activated, he said.

The two-car train was slowing as it approached Riverton Station a block away, traveling an estimated 15 or 20 m.p.h.

The minivan's occupants were taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden with injuries that were not life-threatening, Stessel said.

Nuran Zivali, 38, of Edgewater Park, was issued a summons for careless driving and failure to observe traffic signals, he said. Zivali was in serious condition late Thursday afternoon.

Traveling with him were a woman and a 4-month-old, also named Zivali, according to the spokesman.

About 12 passengers on the train, which connects Camden and Trenton, suffered minor injuries. River Line service was suspended between Riverton and Cinnaminson until about 1:30 p.m.

Here's a link to the story:

Driver hurt when minivan, River Line train collide

John Smiley Comments:

I can tell you from experience that the no-right-turn symbol is difficult to see at some times in the afternoon due to sun glare.

A few months ago I was in the right lane, the traffic signal itself turned green, and I started forward only to see the gates starting to close. I looked up and didn't realize the no-right-turn symbol was lit.

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