Imagine night driving on Ohio 83, a north/south stretch of highway west of Cleveland that dead-ends at Lake Erie’s shoreline. There’s nothing much happening on the road. Suddenly, you pull up to a railroad crossing. Immediately, something doesn’t seem right: there’s a Subaru Outback parked on the tracks. You realize that oddly, the Subaru is empty. Then, you hear the distant bellow of a train horn.

At 2:45 am on October 19, a witness called Avon Lake Police. They reported the Outback stranded on the railroad tracks, empty and immobile. In less than five minutes, an oncoming train traveling east collided with the vehicle, propelling it back onto the northbound side of Ohio 83. Thankfully, no injuries occurred, though the impact forced a temporary closure of one lane for several hours.

Shortly after the crash, police located the vehicle’s driver nearby. Officers arrested the individual on charges of driving under the influence and failing to control the vehicle. It remains unclear how the Subaru ended up on the tracks, though police suspect alcohol played a role in the situation.

The Subaru Outback is known for its high safety ratings, including top honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its protective design. The Outback’s sturdy frame and advanced crash safety features aim to shield occupants in most, well, “standard” collisions. However, a side impact from a train delivers an immense force that no vehicle is designed to withstand unscathed. What a relief, then, that the SUV was free of passengers.

Authorities reopened State Route 83’s northbound lane later that morning.