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Trenton firefighters surround a car (left) that was struck by a River Line train near Lalor Street and Route 129 this evening.

(Alex Zdan /The Times)

TRENTON – The driver of a car was killed and his passenger injured when their vehicle was broadsided by a River Line train at the Lalor Street railway in Trenton crossing this evening, officials said.

The northbound River Line train was headed into Trenton just before 6 p.m. in the direction of the platform at Cass Street, said Courtney Carroll, an NJ Transit spokeswoman.

The car carrying the man and woman was on Lalor Street going towards Route 129 when it crossed into the path of the oncoming train against warning signals.

“The crossing gates were in the down position at the time of the impact,” Carroll said.

The train slammed into the car on the driver’s side, dragging the vehicle approximately 200 feet before depositing it on the second set of tracks.

Trenton firefighters, some of whom happened to be relatively nearby fighting a fire on Lamberton Street, were dispatched to the scene and had to extricate the passenger from the car. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, Carroll said.

Working in driving snow that began to change over to sleet, firefighters used the jaws of life to open the passenger side of the car. They freed the woman from the front passenger seat and get her on a stretcher, Battalion Chief Steve Amiott said. She was rushed to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment and remains there in unknown condition tonight.

Identities of the deceased driver or his passenger were not immediately available.

Police shut down Route 129 briefly in both directions and sent northbound traffic up Lalor Street.

Substitute bus service has been established between Bordentown and Cass Street in Trenton.

Major damage was not visible to the train.

“There were 28 passengers on board, with no injuries reported,” Carroll said.

The passengers were taken off the train with the assistance of firefighters to get alternate transportation.

Staff writer Alyssa Mease contributed to this report.

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