A passenger in a vehicle trying to leave the Carbon County parking lot Monday afternoon was shaken but OK after her husband pulled out in front of a steam train that was coming into the Jim Thorpe Train Station.

Jim Thorpe police said that a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Roy Dennis Fatur of Greensburg, Westmoreland County, was leaving the county-owned parking lot at 12:07 p.m. when the 425 Reading and Northern steam engine was pulling the 11 a.m. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway passenger excursion back into the station.According to witnesses at the scene and a video that was posted by Jason Schaedler, the engine had sounded its warning whistle as it approached the crossing."I was on (Route) 209 going toward Lehighton stopped dead in traffic," said Cheri Santore of Nesquehoning. "I was directly across from the county parking lot on my left. There was a car coming from the opposite direction that had turned into the parking lot but stopped as it was waiting for the train to cross."I heard the engine whistle so I turned my head to watch the train and saw the white SUV moving toward the train tracks. The SUV did appear to be inching its way out of the parking lot and I kept watching in disbelief that the car was not coming to a stop."When it finally came to a stop, from my view, I couldn't tell that he was just over the tracks. I thought he saw the train and stopped in the nick of time and that quickly, I saw the train clip the front of the car."I have to say it was pretty scary to watch," Santore said. "If the SUV was moving a little faster, it could have been a huge disaster for the passenger for sure."Fatur told police he didn't see or hear the train approaching as he entered the crossing. Fatur sustained a minor laceration to his forearm while his wife, who was seated in the front passenger seat and not named by police, reported no injuries.The Traverse sustained disabling damages in the crash.The engine, which was reversed at the time due to railroad operations for that trip, meaning the tender was in the front with the engine pulling the train in reverse.It was not damaged and was able to continue operating.Jim Thorpe Fire Department and Lehighton ambulance responded.Police said charges are pending against Fatur.