Santa Clara

Capitol Corridor Train Slams Into Tesla on Tracks in Santa Clara

NBC Universal, Inc.

A Capitol Corridor train slammed into a Tesla on the tracks Wednesday morning, injuring the driver in Santa Clara.

The collision reportedly occurred in the 600 block of Martin Avenue in Santa Clara. Video from the scene shows a gray Tesla smashed and airbags deployed.

The driver of the Tesla reportedly tried to beat the train through the crossing, NBC Bay Area learned.

Witnesses told NBC Bay Area the Tesla driver was sitting on the tracks and distracted when the crossing arm came down on the car. She reportedly exited the car, moved the arm off the vehicle then tried to beat the train.

A Capitol Corridor train slammed into a Tesla on the tracks Wednesday morning in Santa Clara.

Police, VTA and work crews showed up to the scene where parts of the car were thrown in all directions.

A passing driver who works near the scene of the incident told NBC Bay Area a large section of the Tesla's drive train actually hit his car.

The driver of that car, Emilio Martinez, is a licensed EMT and was able to help the Tesla driver who sustained minor injuries, police said.

The Capitol Corridor train was delayed as crews checked for damage and fortunately, no passengers were injured.

Witnesses who saw the incident happened are shaken up, but relieved.

"I think we need to be very careful not to try to 'win' the train," a witness told NBC Bay Area. "The train will never stop. We could lose our life like that."

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