By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

VACHERIE — An 87-year-old Vacherie man was seriously injured Wednesday when his vehicle was struck by a train at a railroad crossing on Louisiana Highway 20 in Vacherie, according to State Police.

Pierre Reulet was transported to the Trauma Center at LSU Interim Public Hospital in New Orleans for treatment of his injuries. His condition is not known.

Trooper Melissa Matey, spokesperson for State Police, said investigators from Troop C believe Reulet attempted to drive around the crossing’s safety gate trying to beat the train. Witnesses said Reulet passed up a line of cars backed up on Highway 20 when he tried to drive around the gates.

Matey said Highway 20 was blocked for about 20 minutes after the accident. A crew from the state Department of Transportation and Development spent Wednesday evening fixing the barricade, which had broken off after the accident.

Matey said the crash remains under investigation and charges against Reulet are pending.