Airborne car hits train

PASCO — Police were called to a railyard late Tuesday, Aug. 3, after a car allegedly went airborne and struck train hopper cars.

The driver was ejected and injured in the 11:20 p.m. crash; his name has yet to be released, police said. He was taken to an area hospital.

The case may be alcohol-related and that the driver is being investigator for driver may face driving while under the influence and reckless driving charges, police said.

According to a police report, the driver was eastbound on Clark Street at a high rate of speed in a 2003 Toyota Corolla at speeds of up to 100 mph.

At the T-intersection with Tacoma Street, the driver ran a stop sign, hit a curb and went up an embankment, after which it became airborne, police said.

Railroad employees who say the crash estimated the vehicle traveled about 100 yards before striking a parked train and becoming wedged between two hopper cars.

"Physical damage to the front and back ends of the Corolla indicate that it impacted with the ground and cartwheeled at some point in the yard," a police report said. "The alleged driver was ejected during the process and was found in the railyard about two boxcars away from the Corolla."

Police said the driver may be the same man who shoplifted beer about 15 minutes before the crash.

The same man allegedly had stolen beer from the same store on June 26, police said. He was issued a trespass warning after that incident.

Burglary charges in the new beer thefts may be pending, police said.