Train hits SUV in Lake Station; Lansing man accused of OWI

LAKE STATION | A 51-year-old Lansing man was charged with operating while intoxicated after the SUV he was driving was struck by a train Thursday night, police said.

Kenneth Booth, who also was charged with driving while suspended, sustained only minor injuries to his right shoulder, police said.

The accident, involving a Norfolk Southern train, was reported to police at 10:38 p.m. at the CSX railroad crossing at Central Avenue and Dekalb Street.

When police arrived at the scene, the Chevy HHR driven by Booth was in a grassy area north of Central Avenue and west of Dekalb Street. The driver, who police said spoke with a slur and who appeared intoxicated, identified himself as Booth.

Booth told police his car ended up stuck on the tracks because he had run out of gas.

Booth was taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, where a blood drawn was taken. Booth's blood-alcohol concentration was .41.

An individual is considered intoxicated at 0.8.