HOUSTON -- Prisoners and deputies from Tarrant County were injured Friday when their van collided with a METRORail train in downtown Houston, officials told Local 2.

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See Damage From METRORail, Sheriff's Department Van Wreck

Investigators said the accident involved a light-rail train and a Tarrant County Sheriff's Department van at the intersection of Main and Commerce at 11:35 a.m.

"(The van) had a red light at this location, and there is to be no right turn on red. The van made a right turn on red. The train was coming southbound," METRO Chief Tom Lambert said.

Five people in the van, including three inmates and two sheriff's deputies, were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries. Two passengers in the train were treated at the scene for minor pain.

"The Harris County Sheriff's Department will have sheriff's representatives there to make sure the security of the prisoners is taken care of," Lambert said.

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The collision ripped the front bumper off the METRORail train. The van had to be towed from the scene.

It's METRORail's 56th accident since it began operating late last year.

The accident is under investigation.

Road Condition Information:

• Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Pulse Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Section


• Houston Transtar


• Texas Dept. of Transportation Web site or call (800) 452-9292


• Harris County Office of Emergency Management Web site