Police: Mom Intentionally Rammed Train
LODI (CBS13) -- A five-year-old girl is recovering from serious injuries after her mother intentionally drove into a moving train Friday afternoon, according to authorities.
Christine Leach, 42, is facing charges of attempted murder after the violent crash near the intersection of East Pine Street and Sacramento Street just after 2:00 p.m.
According to witnesses, Leach and her daughter were waiting for the train to pass when the mother suddenly swerved around three cars and the railroad crossing arms, driving directly into the side of the train.
The Lodi Police Department said the train had nearly finished passing the intersection when the accident occurred. The train engineer didn't even realize the locomotive had been struck until police tracked him down later Friday.
"Every indication we have is that this was an intentional act," said Lodi Police Detective Eric Bradley.
The front of Leach's sedan was crushed in the collision, seriously wounding her young daughter but leaving the mother with hardly a scratch. The five-year-old girl was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center by helicopter, where she is recovering and expected to survive.
Lodi authorities said police have had a number of prior contacts with Leach but declined to give specifics on past encounters.
