Police: Drunk Salem Woman Drove 1/2 Mile On Train Tracks With Child In Car

BEVERLY (CBS) - A Salem woman is facing a number of charges after police say drove a half-mile down the commuter rail tracks with a child in the back seat of her SUV.

Police say Michelle Leclair, 46, was drunk and had a 5-year-old child in the vehicle when she drove onto the tracks around Elliot Street just before 10 p.m.

A witness alerted police, and officers saw the tail lights of the SUV traveling down the track.

Officers rushed to Beverly Depot train station, which is a half-mile from where the vehicle turned onto the tracks.

When officers arrived, they found the SUV had crashed into a wall, and was stuck on the tracks.

Officials say Leclair was still attempting to drive away when they arrived.

They reported that she appeared to be disoriented and told them she thought she was still in Salem.

The MBTA halted trains in both directions until the SUV was removed from the tracks.

The child was checked out at Beverly Hospital as a precaution. The state's Department of Children and Families has been notified.

Leclair is charged with OUI, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation and reckless endangerment of a child.

She is set to be arraigned in Salem District Court Monday morning.

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