WARSAW — An accident that temporarily closed downtown railroad crossings yesterday, July 30, injured the driver.

At approximately 12:14 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the Norfolk Southern railroad crossing on East Winona Avenue. Reynaldo Rodriguez, 34, East Circle Drive North, Syracuse, was traveling west on Winona Avenue when he pulled around a vehicle that was stopped for railroad crossing lights.

As Rodriguez’s vehicle crossed the first set of railroad tracks, he noticed the northbound train. He swerved right but collided with the train. Rodriguez was transported by Lutheran EMS with complaints of neck pain. 

The train was hauling 118 cars and traveling at 20 mph at the time of the collision. The train horn was sounded prior to the Winona Avenue intersection and the train headlight was on. Inspection of the intersection crossing showed that the audible bells and lights were on and in working order.

Damages were reported as up to $25,000.