Cops: Driver Crashes Through Crossing Arm To Avoid Collision With Metro-North Train

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A driver got stuck between railroad crossing gates and escaped, not far from the crossing where a fiery crash between a train and another car killed six people last month, police said.

But on Saturday, the driver freed her car by backing up and breaking a crossing arm, Westchester County officials said.

The Journal News reported that Cynthia Parent, 67, told police she was crossing the Metro-North Railroad tracks on Roaring Brook Road in Chappaqua when a gate came down, trapping her.

Last month in Valhalla, about 6 miles south of Chappaqua, an SUV on the tracks was hit by a train. The driver and five passengers on the train were killed.

Last week, two Long Island Rail Road trains struck vehicles that were on the tracks. In both crashes, the vehicles' drivers are believed to have ignored the ringing bells and flashing warning lights.

The drivers suffered non-life-threatening injuries in both collisions, and no one aboard the trains was hurt.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)