A train struck a van that got stuck in the Norfolk Southern railroad crossing on Valley Road in Hillsborough at 4:10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21.
Police said a Ford van driven by Richard Vallera, 67, of Stewartsville, an employee of Norfolk Southern, had one tire get stuck in the train rails.
Sean Simon, the engineer, from Robbinsville, wasn’t able to stop the westbound train and the impact pushed the van into a railroad crossing arm, detaching it, said police. Mr. Vallera had gotten out of the vehicle and suffered no injuries.
Valley Road between Auten Road and Farm Road, as well as Roycefield Road between New Center and Valley Roads were closed for about 90 minutes during the investigation.
The Hillsborough Rescue Squad and Somerset Medical Center MICU responded, too.

