Police: Motorcyclist tried to beat train to intersection, knocked off by crossing gates

From the Puyallup Police Department.



PUYALLUP -- A motorcyclist suffered minor injuries Thursday morning when he was knocked of his motorcycle by Sound Transit crossing during an effort, police said, to beat an oncoming train.

According to the Puyallup Police Department, officers were called to the scene of a crash around 8 a.m. at the intersection of 15th Street Southeast and East Pioneer Avenue. Officers said a motorcyclist was trying to drive under crossing gates to beat a train, when he was knocked off his bike by the gates.

The bike continued on and was struck by the northbound Sound Transit Sounder train. The driver was nicked by the train, too, but only suffered a minor injury.

Police said the driver was lucky to be alive, and the crash served as a reminder not to try to outrun trains to an intersection.



Police expected the crash to be clear around 8:30 a.m. The driver of the motorcycle is expected to be cited for failing to stop.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into the crash.