Police: Drunken driver narrowly escapes freight train collision in Lisle

A man who drove his car onto the pedestrian platform at the Lisle Metra station and narrowly escaped getting hit by a freight train has been charged with drunken driving.

Lisle police went to the train station at 1000 Front St. in response to reports that a train struck a car about 1:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Brian J. Edwards, 47, of the 4300 block of Arborview Drive, Lisle, drove on the platform and tried to back up. Video surveillance shows the driver's side of the vehicle then fell off the platform near the train tracks, police said.

Edwards escaped from the vehicle seconds before a Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train crashed into his car, police said.

No injuries were reported, but Edwards' car sustained major damage as well as the steps and handrails on the train.

Edwards was arrested at the scene. He is charged with driving under the influence and received citations for trespass to a railroad right of way, driving on the sidewalk and an expired registration, police said.

Edwards was released on bond and is due in court Feb. 28.