This NJ TRANSIT train was halted for an hour and a half after it struck a car on the tracks in Elmwood Park, N.J. (Credit: CBS 2)

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — An NJ TRANSIT train was halted for an hour and a half Tuesday night after hitting a car in Elmwood Park, N.J.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. at the Midland Avenue crossing, officials said.

The driver – Rakesh Sharma, 54, of Iselin, N.J. – was alone in his 2008 Mercedes Sedan and was stopped on the tracks when the gates and signals went into operation, a preliminary investigation revealed.

Sharma was in the car at the time of impact, but was not injured, authorities said.

The gates and lights were working properly, authorities said.

Service on the Bergen County line was suspended, but has since been restored. NJ TRANSIT said the line is back to operating on or close to schedule.

All the passengers on the train were removed to two other trains to take them to Suffern around 7:40 p.m.

There were no injuries to train passengers in the incident. A total of 800 passengers were onboard.

Sharma refused medical attention, and was ticketed for careless driving and interference with transportation.

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