SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — A young driver had a lucky escape Monday afternoon when his car was struck by a train on Wick Street.

Jarrod E. Hull, 20, of Concord Township managed to get out by himself after his 2011 Hyundai Elantra about 3:10 p.m. was hit and pushed off the tracks just west of Smith Valley Road.

“He has a couple of big bumps on his head,” said Karen Hull, the man's mother. “The doctor said he had a very mild concussion.”

He also suffered burn-type injuries from side and front air bags that deployed on impact.

Karen Hull and her family are thankful that was the extent of Hull's injuries. He was treated at the Grove City Medical Center and released.

State police said the accident happened when Hull failed to stop his car at the properly posted stop sign in front of the railroad tracks.

An Illinois Central Railway locomotive slammed into the front driver's side of the car, which was stopped on the tracks.

The collision pushed the car about 40 feet off the tracks. It ended about 20 feet off the south berm of Wick Road, facing north.

Karen Hull said her son was driving to Marion Township where he has been house-sitting for friends. Hull lives with his parents and younger sister.

She noted there are no flashing lights or crossing arm at the tracks.

“He stopped too late (at the sign),” she said of her son, and ended on the tracks. She said he was not trying to beat the train across.

By the time Hull looked to his left, he saw the train bearing down toward him.

“He panicked,” she said, “and it was too late to do anything.”

The conductor told authorities that he saw the car and blew the whistle. Hull apparently did not hear the warning, possibly because he was momentarily in shock.

Neither the conductor nor engineer was injured.

Hull rescued himself and immediately called his parents. Troy Hull, his father, was at work. He told his father what happened.

Karen Hull was doing yard work and missed his calls. She eventually learned of the accident.

Both parents and Hull's 17-year-old sister in separate vehicles ended up rushing to the crash scene.

“He was fine and talking and walking around,” Karen Hull said of her son. “I wasn't in such good shape. But he kept saying, 'Mom, I'm OK.'”

His parents drove him to the hospital where he was examined. X-rays on his left hand were negative for injury.

Hull recently graduated from Butler County Community College with a degree in business management. He plans to continue his education at Indiana (Pa.) University.

He is also in need of a new car. He hasn't decided on a model.

Karen Hull offered a suggestion: “Maybe a horse and buggy.”