Train bears down on car; driver makes it across

WINONA, Minn. – A Winona driver trying to beat a train at a crossing made it — but not before clipping the arm of the crossing-gate as it was coming down. The train, a Canadian Pacific freight at 30 mph on the single-track mainline, kept on going undamaged. This was about 5:15 p.m. at Fifth and Jackson streets on the West Side. A witness called police and followed the motorist, whom police found a few blocks away. John Michael Oevering, 41, said he had braked for the flashing red lights but was too too late, so he accelerated across. Police cited him for violating the crossing signals and also hit and run. Too, he can expect a bill from the Canadian Pacific for repair the banged-up crossing arm and its dangling. red flasher.