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By Morgan Rousseau
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An MBTA commuter rail train crashed into an empty car that was stopped on a railway crossing in Acton Thursday night, transit officials said.
The driver exited the vehicle just before the collision, which pushed the car about 300 feet and left it a mangled mess. No one was injured in the incident, according to Acton police.
The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. at a crossing near 117 Central St. near the Fitchburg line. Investigators believe that the car’s driver “drove around the gate and then exited prior to the train collision,” according to Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan.
“The crossing gates and warning system were functioning as intended, and the car drove around the closed gates,” Keolis, which runs the commuter rail, also said in a statement.
Sullivan said the driver, who was not identified, will be issued a citation.
Commuters faced delays on the Fitchburg line due to the crash. At 5:40 p.m., MBTA officials shared a post on X saying, “Fitchburg Line Train 1427 (4:25 p.m. from North Station) has been terminated today at South Acton due to a road vehicle on the right of way. Passengers may consider Fitchburg Line Train 431 (5:30 p.m. from North Station).”
❌ Fitchburg Line Train 1427 (4:25 pm from North Station) has been terminated today at South Acton due to a road vehicle on the right of way. Passengers may consider Fitchburg Line Train 431 (5:30 pm from North Station).
The train was carrying 44 people at the time of the collision. All passengers, as well as the car’s driver, were evaluated for injuries at the scene.
Acton firefighters said they also worked to contain a fuel spill from the car.
Transit police are investigating the incident.
Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.
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