Portland police on Monday identified the driver of a red Ford Fusion that became stuck on railroad tracks Sunday night as Edward Thompson, 53, of Wells.

Lt. Robert Martin, spokesman for the Portland Police Department, said in an email that officers knew Thompson had been drinking, but his alcohol content was not high enough to charge him with operating under the influence. Thompson was charged with driving to endanger.

His car became stuck on railroad tracks between Lincoln and Coyle streets, a stretch of tracks that run through the Woodfords neighborhood of Portland.

A tow truck arrives to remove a car stuck on the tracks in Portland’s Woodfords neighborhood Sunday night.

Neighbors reported the incident to police at 7:06 p.m. Sunday. The car remained wedged on the tracks for about an hour before it was eventually towed.

Martin said the incident delayed at least one incoming freight train and caused traffic delays at three intersections.

When officers questioned Thompson about what he was doing, he told them that someone else drove the car onto the train tracks and then fled. Martin said officers rejected his story because there were no footprints in freshly fallen snow.


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