HOUSTON -- Officials said a car and a METRORail train collided in the 5600 block of Fannin at Binz in southwest Houston just before 8:20 a.m. Friday.

METRORail encountered its first major accident only one week after daily service began, News2Houston reported.

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Driver Ignores METRO Warning Signs, Causes Collision

Houston Fire Department officials and METRO Light Rail authorities responded to the scene.

Witnesses said the driver of a car traveling south next to a METRORail shuttle on Fannin Street Friday morning attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of the train at the Binz intersection, ignoring warning signs.

The captain said the train was approaching a stop at the Museum District, and moving less than 20 mph when the driver turned in front of the light-rail tram. Investigators said although the traffic light was green, the car's driver ignored the METRO warning sign.

While the train proceeded on to its next stop, the car spun around for about 10 feet, onto a sidewalk.

Witness Mary Matas told News2Houston she felt like she was watching a movie.

"We heard a crash. By the time we turned around, we saw the rail hit the back end of the car. The car kind of spun like a toy," Matas said. "It sounded like metal hitting against metal really hard."

None of the passengers aboard the train were injured, according to METRO officials.

A man and woman inside the car that was hit were transported to Hermann Hospital. Their injures were not life threatening.

"I guess our No. 1 concern is safety. We certainly don't want anybody to be hurt on the trains or in these vehicles. We hope to avoid (accidents) totally," METRO Police Capt. Tim Kelly said.

Officials ticketed the driver for allegedly disregarding a traffic-controlled device.

A METRO officer was on board the train at the time of the accident.

METRO said this is the sixth light-rail accident since the train began test rides late last year. This is the first major accident since the rail began servicing the public.

On The Net:

www.RideMETRO.org