Car Crashes On MBTA Train Tracks In Allston

BOSTON (CBS) – A car crashed onto the MBTA commuter rail tracks in Allston early Friday morning, but it did not have a major impact on the commute.

Authorities said a BMW was speeding down Franklin Street around 2 a.m. when it plowed through a fence and onto the inbound tracks.

A train was being tested in the area at the time and was going about 70 miles per hour towards the wreck. But the train operator was told about it and was able to stop in time, according to Boston Fire District Chief Garry Pilato.

"If this had happened during the course of a day, there could have been two or three trains that hit him before anything could have been done. It could have been quite a catastrophe," Pilato told WBZ-TV.

The driver of the car, a 26-year-old Lynn man who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital. His injuries were not life-threatening.

According to Transit Police, the driver went over a curb, through the barrier fence and onto the tracks, passing over five rails before the car stopped. They don't know what caused the crash yet.

Pilato said it took about a half hour to get the car off the tracks. The rails were inspected and the commuter rail test train was able to move through the area around 3:30 a.m.

Pilato said train speeds would be reduced in the area as a precaution. The evening commute is not expected to be impacted.