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SALEM - An empty city police cruiser was struck by a train early Sunday morning after the officer parked it partially on the railroad tracks to help stop someone riding the rails in an all-terrain vehicle.

The accident, which occurred at 1 a.m. at the railroad crossing on South Lincoln Avenue just over the line in Perry Township, is being investigated by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

According to the preliminary report, a Salem police officer was on patrol when a report was received of someone lying on the railroad tracks. A Perry Township police officer then reported he was in pursuit of people on two ATVs riding on the tracks.

One of the ATV riders reportedly became stuck on the tracks but was continuing east, so the township officer asked for help in blocking the rider's path. The Salem officer went to South Lincoln Avenue crossing and parked his cruiser partially across the tracks. After turning his flashing lights on, the Salem officer exited the cruiser and began running toward the approaching township officer. Because the police departments use different radio frequencies, the Salem officer was unaware the ATV suspect was already in custody.

Meanwhile, the shift commander at the Salem Police Department advised his officer to have the train traffic stopped, but a few minutes later a westbound train struck the front of the patrol car sticking out on the tracks.

The train engineer told the highway patrol he saw the flashing cruiser lights and managed to slow the train to about 15 mph before impact. He said the cruiser was about three feet onto the tracks.

tgiambroni@mojonews.com