SALEM - The highway patrol is investigating the incident in which a Salem police cruiser was struck by a Norfolk Southern train at the South Ellsworth Avenue railroad crossing early Sunday morning.

Police Chief Robert Floor said he doesn't know why the cruiser was parked partially on the tracks and is awaiting a written report from the responding officer.

The cruiser was driven by Ptlmn. Steve Larosa while he responded to a call for a person lying on the railroad tracks.

Floor said the incident was in the township.

Reports said that Perry Township police responded at the request of the Salem police and were in the area just before Salem police arrived. Township officers observed two males on ATVs and attempted to stop them but they fled eastbound on the tracks.

Township police followed with lights and siren activated and eventually stopped one rider, Dennis J. Hecker, 141 Townsend Ave., Girard.

Hecker was charged by Salem police with criminal trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia, while Perry Township police charged him with failure to comply.

Floor said a communication problem between Salem and Perry police occurred once the officers were out of their cars and using walkies.

In the vehicles they are on the same frequency, Floor said.

He explained that township police are connected to the MARCS system, a statewide radio system that gives the agencies that subscribe to it the ability to have contiguous communications throughout the state.

He said the MARCS system is expensive and requires a monthly subscription fee.

"Perry and the sheriff's department are the only departments using it in the county," Floor said, adding, "it seems to work very, very well but is expensive."

The train was alerted in time for it to slow to about 15 miles per hour before striking the cruiser.

Floor said he expects to receive a report from the insurance adjuster on the damage to the cruiser today.

Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net