Police: Train tracks snag fleeing car

WHITEFISH, Mont. – A freight train stopped in time to avoid striking a car that became stuck on railroad tracks Saturday in Whitefish, after the driver tried to elude authorities.

Police said that after they attempted to stop the car about 2 a.m., the driver went to a railroad crossing and drove through a mechanical barrier that had lowered to stop traffic. Then the car stalled on the tracks.

Police established radio contact with the train, which came to a stop.

The driver of the car, 34-year-old John Brake, of Columbia Falls, was arrested on allegations of drunken driving and other offenses.