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A 9-1-1 caller said a white Tesla, driven by Bendrick Smith, had gotten stuck on the tracks at the intersection of Brent Point and Arkendale roads around 12:50 a.m. Saturday, March 9, officials said.
The caller further advised he saw the driver get out and stumble around his vehicle.
When Deputy Edwards arrived, he found a Tesla stopped on the train tracks. Before Edwards had a chance to make contact with Smith, he noticed a train quickly approaching.
Edwards radioed dispatch to have the train stop and, out of abundance of caution, quickly got Smith out of the vehicle and out of harm’s way. Luckily, the train did stop before meeting the suspect’s vehicle.
Smith tried to blame his girlfriend for the incident, saying she was the driver and he was just a passenger, the sheriff's office said.
After talking to her, as well as the eye witness, that was determined to be false as Smith had clear signs of intoxication and admitted to consuming “a few” alcoholic beverages.
While he missed the train, he did receive a one-way ticket to Rappahannock Regional Jail and was charged with driving under the influence and refusal. He was held until sober.
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