Train Strikes Car at Crossing, Injuring 3

PLACENTIA —  An Amtrak train struck a luxury sedan at a grade crossing Monday, seriously injuring three members of a family.

Police said the driver apparently drove around a barrier and into the path of the westbound train, which was traveling about 60 mph shortly before the accident.

“The crossing arms were down,” said Placentia police spokesman Matt Reynolds.

It took firefighters about 20 minutes to get the victims out of the crumpled wreckage of the car, officials said.

Injured were Agob Khemmo of Yorba Linda, the driver of the car; his brother, Hraj Khemmo, 48, who was in the front seat; and Hraj Khemmo’s 10-year-old son, Adroushan, Reynolds said. Hraj Khemmo and his son were visiting from Venezuela, Reynolds said.

Agob Khemmo, who was listed in critical condition, lost his spleen and left eye, and suffered liver damage and head injuries, Reynolds said.

The boy also was reported in critical condition at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

Hraj Khemmo was listed in stable condition at Kaiser Permanente with shoulder and leg injuries, Reynolds said.

The engineer of the Los Angeles-bound train, which had begun its trip in Chicago, said the flashing crossing lights were working.

Witnesses said the engineer blew the train’s horn several times before the accident.