Around 1:30 a.m., Storm King Engine Co. #2 responded to a crash between a car and train on Dock Hill and Shore Roads.
“Reports of a car engulfed in flames at the Shore Road crossing on the busy CSX Freight line had [first] responders fearing the worst as the car was inaccessible on the Hudson River side due to the passing train,” said Director of Emergency Mangement Kurt Hahn.
The train was cleared and volunteers learned the driver, Lisa Castanon, 44, of Wappinger Falls, had escaped from the car prior to the crash. The woman was treated, by COVAC for injuries, and was later airlifted to Westchester Medical Center where she’s being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Investigations by the Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department and CSX Railroad are ongoing, but it was determined Castanon was traveling southbound on Shore Road and failed to bear left at the railroad crossing where her vehicle got stuck on the tracks/gravel.
It was also determined Castanon was operating her vehicle while intoxicated. She was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and is due back in Cornwall Justice Court at 5 p.m. on Dec. 17.
The tracks were re-opened to traffic around 3 a.m. after a safety inspection by CSX.
