November 20, 2019
WEST WINDSOR, NJ– For complex incidents such as this MidJersey News has decided to post the entire press release provided by the police department to retain accuracy in reporting. Ed Note: Knowing this area and covering many stories in the past, if it were not for the quick actions by the West Windsor Police not getting people out of the way of the train, this incident would of ended with fatalities. Good work WWTPD!
NCIDENT: 2019-32500 DWI, Amtrak Train Striking Vehicle on Tracks, Damage to (2) Marked Patrol Vehicles
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 11/19/2019 at 11:57 pm
LOCATION OCCURRED: West Bound Amtrak Train Track underneath Route #64 Bridge (just north of Washington Road at the Princeton Junction Train Station)
ACCUSED: Amna S. Ahmed 23 year old A/F
Resident of Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
OFFICERS: 1) Ptl. A. Pollini #99
2) Ptl. B. Heath #103 3) Ptl. C. Crawford #108
OTHERS INVOLVED:
- Traffic Sgt. F. Bal #467
- Sgt. A. Magistro #473
- Traffic Officer F. LaTorre #68
- Det. E. Woodrow #101
- NJ Amtrak Police Department Police Officer G. Holman—Lead Investigator of Amtrak Train Collision
DETAILS: At 11:57 pm on 11/19/2019, Patrol Units were detailed to the West Bound Train Tracks underneath the Route #64 bridge for a vehicle that was disabled on the Amtrak Train Track. Ptl. Pollini arrived on scene in Car #11 while Ptl. Crawford parked nearby in his patrol car. Upon arrival, Ptl. Pollini discovered the disabled vehicle, a 2012 Toyota Camry, facing in an easterly direction on the West Bound Amtrak Track. The vehicle had been driven there by Amna S. Ahmed, who was on scene and met with Ptl. Pollini. In addition, on an access road next to the train tracks was another vehicle, a white BMW, that was occupied by Amna’s father and sister, who had arrived to provide her assistance. Dispatch began to make notifications to stop all train traffic due to the Toyota Camry being on a track and the persons in such close proximity to the train tracks. Immediately afterward, Ptl. Heath arrived on the scene and parked Car #4 directly behind the BMW. As Ptl. Heath began exiting his vehicle, West Bound Amtrak Train #639 was approaching at a high rate of speed. Ptl. Pollini began alerting everyone of the impending impact. Ptl. Pollini, Ptl. Crawford, and Amna took cover behind a building along the tracks. Amna’s sister & father remained in the BMW and the sister moved the car up slightly. Ptl. Heath ran for cover behind the concrete bridge abutment as the Amtrak Train struck the Toyota Camry. The train struck the Toyota and sent heavy debris flying toward the area where our Officers had just been standing. The Toyota was destroyed and sent directly into Car #11 which sustained extensive damage. Car #4 sustained moderate damage, and the BMW had moderate damage after being pelted by a shower of debris from the Toyota. Train #639 sustained heavy damage to the Engine Car #652 as well as numerous other trailing train cars. Although the debris field was extensive and sent with such incredible force, no one was struck & there were no reported injuries due to the quick actions of our Officers. The debris cone extended past Washington Road. The train traffic disruption lasted approximately (3) hours. As of the time of this release, all tracks are reportedly fully operational. Amna was determined to be DWI at the scene and was transported to WWPD Headquarters for processing. Amna was issued summonses for Reckless Driving & DWI and released pending a future appearance at the West Windsor Municipal Court.
**NOTE: The still photographs are from In Car Camera Videos (Car #11 and Car #4) just prior to the impact of Train #639 and the Toyota Camry.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: Lt. Lee #359
DATE OF RELEASE: 11/20/2019
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*Please note that charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Chief Garofalo has authorized the release of a portion of Video from this incident showing the Amtrak Train colliding with the Toyota Camry on the track track. The Camry then strikes Car #11 violently as Ptl. Pollini and Ptl. Crawford lead Amna to cover behind a building.
Lt. Lee
Dash from police car of collision. Viewer Discretion Advised: