PONTIAC, Mich. – An SUV was hit by a train and a pickup truck pushed another car toward the tracks while doing a U-turn as part of a four-car crash at a Pontiac railroad crossing, police said.
Authorities said a Chevrolet Impala was heading north on Woodward Avenue near Wilson Avenue in Pontiac around 4 p.m. Friday (June 11) when it started to stop as the railroad crossing lights were activated.
A Saturn Vue behind the Impala couldn’t stop in time and rear-ended the Impala, officials said.
A GMC Envoy driving behind the Saturn tried to avoid rear-ending the Saturn and swerved to the side, according to authorities. It clipped the rear passenger side of the Saturn, causing it to roll over onto its side and stop on the southbound train tracks, according to police.
Officials said a pickup truck pulling a trailer came up behind the crash and tried to avoid it by swerving to the left of the Impala, authorities said.
During the U-turn, the pickup’s trailer sideswiped the Impala and dragged it toward the train tracks, police said. When the Impala detached from the trailer, the pickup left the scene heading south on Woodward Avenue, according to officials.
Meanwhile, the 47-year-old Pontiac man driving the Envoy and one of his dogs got out of the SUV seconds before it was struck by a train, police said. The Envoy was pushed into the right curb lane of northbound Woodward Avenue, officials said.
The man told police that his other dog had jumped out of the SUV after it rolled over.
Police said the Impala was driven by a 52-year-old Clarkston woman, and the Saturn was driven by a 20-year-old Clarkston woman.
Only minor injuries were reported, according to authorities. Everyone involved in the crash refused medical treatment, they said.
The Impala, Saturn and Envoy were towed from the scene. Police helped the Pontiac man search for his second dog, but they were unsuccessful, officials said.
Authorities haven’t located the pickup truck or its driver.