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Woman died after car struck by Amtrak passenger train in Virginia, ignored crossing arms

Crystal Graham
West Virginia train depot
(© DSBurnside – stock.adobe.com)

An Amtrak train struck a vehicle today in Jarratt killing the sixty-seven-year-old driver.

Arnetta Johnson Lucas, of Emporia, was traveling eastbound on Grigg Avenue when she drove around a stopped vehicle at a train crossing. The crossing arms were in the down position when she attempted to drive around them, according to the Virginia State Police.

Her 2023 Nissan Rogue was struck by the train traveling northbound at 70 mph.

The accident occurred at approximately 12:56 p.m. in Sussex County. The vehicle was struck on the driver’s side and was pushed approximately 100 yards from the point of impact.

Lucas was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were no injuries reported on the Amtrak passenger train from crew members or passengers.

The accident is under investigation.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.