Man crashes into railroad guard arms, police investigate possible DUI

A 35-year-old man was taken to Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix for minor injuries early Monday after crashing a gray Nissan Rogue into railroad crossing guard arms at the rail crossing on State Route 347.

Police are investigating the crash, which occurred around 1:40 a.m., as a possible drunk-driving incident.

According to a witness, the Nissan was traveling south on State Route 347 when it crashed into the railroad guard arms and skidded to a stop nearby, said Ricky Alvarado, a spokesman for the Maricopa Police Department. The car was in the lane closest to the sidewalk and police suspect the driver was not “able to negotiate the curve” of the road.

Alvarado said when police spoke to the man at the scene, he told authorities he didn’t remember the incident. Police could smell alcohol on the man’s breath and suspected he was intoxicated by the manner in which he was speaking, he said.

Capt. Reid Rogers of the Maricopa Fire Department said the man was taken to Maricopa Medical Center with minor injuries. There were no passengers in the car.

Alvarado said DUI tests were not performed on scene because police were more concerned with the man’s safety at the time and he was taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

The man’s blood was drawn at the hospital, he said. Possible DUI charges are pending the result of the blood work.

Union Pacific Railroad workers were on scene Monday morning to replace the rail guards, Alvarado said. A police officer was also on scene to ensure the safety of the workers and the drivers.

Aaron Hunt, a spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad, said in an email that work on the rail guards will be complete in the next few days if not sooner. He said the trains will slow their speeds and sound their horns when crews are working near the tracks.