Tracks Reopen After SUV Driver Dies in Menlo Park Caltrain Collision

Tracks reopened Tuesday morning after the driver of an SUV died after being struck by a Caltrain train in Menlo Park on Monday.

The collision was reported at about 4:45 p.m. in the area of Ravenswood Avenue and Alma Street. Caltrain service was temporarily shut down in both directions as emergency crews responded to the collision.

Officials said the vehicle, an Acura SUV, was headed westbound on Ravenswood at the time of the accident and that the crossing gates came down normally.

Witnesses told the Menlo Park Fire Department the driver, a 30-year-old woman, stopped directly on the tracks and appeared to be looking down at something in her car.

Caltrain officials believe traffic prevented the woman from getting her vehicle off the tracks.

Officials said woman is believed to be the only person in the vehicle. However, a baby seat was found in the backseat and firefighters are searching the wreckage for any signs of a baby, officials said.

No injuries were reported for the 400 passengers or crew members on the train. Caltrain said crew members on the train will be offered counseling.

Ravenswood Avenue was still closed late Monday as crew worked to repair a grossing gate damaged in the collision, but reopened before 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

NBC Bay Area's Michelle Roberts and Terry McSweeney contributed to this story.

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