Attleboro Man's Car Collides with Vehicle

An Attleboro man suffered "minor injuries" early Monday afternoon when his vehicle collided with a freight train in Mansfield, various media reported. Authorities say the man admitted he was using a cellphone when the crash occurred.

The Boston Globe reported:

The man drove into the train, which was crossing Forbes Boulevard at low speed, around noon; emergency crews arrived shortly after, [Mansfield Fire Chief Neal A.] Boldrighini said. The street is part of an industrial area, and trains passing through are required to cross the road slowly; a flagman is also on site, he said.

The CSX train serves local businesses in Mansfield and Walpole by picking up and delivering train cars, said CSX spokesman Bob Sullivan.

Boldrighini was told by Mansfield police that the man admitted to using a cellphone while driving.

"We've seen some really horrific crashes because of cellphones," said Boldrighini. “It is easy to become distracted by a cellphone." Boldrighini said that if you must use your phone, pull off to the side of the road or use a wireless headset.

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The Sun Chronicle identified the driver of the vehicle as 61-year-old Walter J. Zuschlag. Various media reported he was flown to Rhode Island hospital. Nobody on the train was reported injured.