Amtrak train kills motorist near Bealeton

Friday, Nov. 16 | By Mark Grandstaff

UPDATED 11/16 9:15 p.m.

At about 4:55 p.m., an Amtrak train hit a vehicle on a railroad grade crossing on Remington Road near Schoolhouse Road.

James. E. Wood, 54, of Shenandoah, Va., drove a 1990 Chevy Cavalier over a grade crossing in the 11200 block of Remington Road, said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller. The northbound train struck his car. According to preliminary radio traffic, the impact hurled the Wood free of the vehicle.

Wood died from his injuries at the scene, Geller said. The grade crossing was "uncontrolled," meaning it had only a posted stop sign and a crossbuck, with no controlled arm or flashing lights, she said.

The train, which belongs to Amtrak, was unscathed by the collision, said Remington firefighter Billy LeDrew. The train was headed from Charlottesville to D.C., laden with 200 passengers. None of the train's occupants were hurt, Geller said.

Pieces of the vehicle littered Remington Road, and police and firefighters cordoned off the area around the wreck and set up search lights.

Remington, Lois, Catlett, Goldvein, Warrenton and New Baltimore fire companies answered the call, as did the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office, Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia State Police, LeDrew said.

State police are continuing to investigate the accident.

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