By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

RESERVE – A freight train backing up on the tracks hit a car at a rail crossing on North West Third Street in Reserve Wednesday evening, according to a release from the St. John Sheriff’s Office.

Capt. Dane Clement, a public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said the car’s two occupants, whose names were not released, were shaken by the collision, but not seriously injured. Both were taken to River Parishes Hospital for observation.

According to a report on the crash, as the train was backing to the east around 9:20 p.m., it struck a Nissan Altima traveling southbound on North West Third Street. The train hit the car’s passenger-side rear quarter panel.

Clement said the crossing, which crosses tracks on the Kansas City Southern rail line, has no hazard lights or traffic gate. He said the crossing signage includes cross bucks and stop signs.

Investigators concluded the train was not in violation in the crash. The driver of the Altima was given a citation for failure to yield at a railroad crossing, according to Clement.