An NJ Transit train full of commuters collided with a tractor-trailer hauling paint in Little Falls, N.J. at the height of the Wednesday morning rush, injuring 10 people, including two seriously.
NJ Transit spokesman John Durso Jr. said the train was carrying 71 passengers and crew when it hit the back of the trailer near Main and Dewey streets shortly before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Durso said the seriously injured included an NJ Transit employee who had been aboard the train and a school crossing guard who authorities say was struck by debris.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not seriously injured, authorities said. Dozens of yellow paint buckets were seen strewn around the tracks and road near the crumpled truck.
Durso said a preliminary investigation reveals the tractor-trailer was backing up after failing to make a tight turn when the crossing gates came down. The train didn't have time to stop, he said.
The driver was issued two summonses -- one for careless driving and one for violating the crossing.
The diesel-engine train was running on the Montclair-Boonton line.
Main Street remained blocked off for several blocks around the site throughout the morning.
