LIRR Train Hits Car Stuck Along Tracks

No one was in the car at the time; delays on the Ronkonkoma branch were being reported

A Long Island Rail Road train struck an unoccupied car on the tracks in Deer Park Thursday evening, authorities say. 

A driver was returning a rental car to a Hertz office near the Deer Park LIRR station at about 6 p.m. when he made a wrong turn onto the tracks, and the car's right tire became stuck in the soft ground alongside the tracks, according to MTA police.

While trying to free the vehicle, the 25-year-old driver looked up and saw the train coming toward him, he told police. He jumped out of the way before the train hit the car. 

No one was hurt, police said. Investigation is continuing but there appears to be no criminality. 

Delays of up to 75 minutes were reported on the Ronkonkoma branch.

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