The violent crash happened just after 6:30 p.m. at the Palm Avenue crossing just north of the Orange Metrolink station. Officials say the No. 606 train was headed south and was about to pull into the station.
Authorities say the driver grew impatient behind the wheel and decided to proceed across the tracks.
Witnesses say the Chevrolet Malibu sedan caught fire, but the driver managed to escape through the window with the help of some bystanders. Amazingly, he did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.
For the 230 passengers on the train and those waiting at the station, it was certainly a shocking sight, one that could have had a much different ending.
The passengers on the train were transferred to another line to get to their destination. The crash remains under investigation.
