An 11-month old girl was injured when a government van driven by a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman went spinning toward her baby stroller after colliding with an MTALight Rail train, authorities said.
The midshipman, whose name was not released, was driving the van westbound on Lombard Street in Baltimore City and was struck by the Light Rail train about 6:20 a.m. at the intersection of Howard and Lombard streets, said Maryland Transit Administration spokeswoman Jawauna Greene.
The impact of the accident forced the van onto the curb where a man jumped out of the way and pulled the girl?s stroller with him, Greene said.
“We still have to find out what exactly was going on, but it?s confusing at that intersection because there?s a lot of traffic signals and bells and whistles,” Greene said.
Greene said the man and girl, whose names were not released, were both “bleeding and bruised” and were transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment. The baby girl was sent to the pediatric center.
The midshipman was alone in the van at the time of the accident, having just dropped off another midshipman in Baltimore. He was treated on the scene by a medic, Greene said.
“The Naval Academy is cooperating with MTA police in investigating this accident, but preliminary information indicates that there was no misconduct involved,” said U.S. Naval Academy spokeswoman Judy Campbell.
Greene said the MTA conducts drug tests on Light Rail operators for such instances, but “there?s noting indicating that anybody appeared to be impaired.”
The Johns Hopkins Pediatric Center declined comment on the girl?s condition citing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy laws.
Staff Writer Jason Flanagan contributed to this article.
