Fourth vehicle crashes into LRT train, with less than a week until launch day

Charges are pending after yet another vehicle crashed into an LRT train on Monday, says the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

Officers were called to the intersection at Union Street East and King Street South in Waterloo at about 3:10 p.m.

The vehicle was travelling south on King Street and was attempting to make a left turn onto Union Street when it was struck by the LRT train, Const. Ashley Dietrich told CBC News.

The train was also travelling southbound at the time. Dietrich said in most cases, the LRT will have right of way.

"We're encouraging motorists to become educated on the signs and staying alert, and knowing the laws surrounding the LRT trains," she said.

This latest collision comes just five days after a van crashed into a train while attempting to make a U-turn in the area of King Street West and Green Street.

Dietrich said careless driving charges have now been laid against the driver, a 44-year-old Kitchener woman.

The total number of crashes involving LRT trains is now up to four, including a serious collision on May 31 in which charges were also laid.

Another minor crash on June 7 did not result in charges, police said.

Deitrich said police and officials with Grand River Transit are working to educate the public about safety before ION launches on June 21.

"It's going to be commencing full trains starting Friday, so hopefully we don't see too many or an influx in those collisions, but obviously motorists do need to be aware that the LRT does have that right of way," she said.