There was a light rail accident in downtown Houston yesterday. Like virtually every other such accident, it’s because the driver thought he’d race the train:

A Metro light rail train collided with a sport utility vehicle in downtown Houston, sending several people to the hospital, authorities said.

The train struck the Chrysler Aspen about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday on westbound Pease at Main, officials said.

Metro Police Chief Tom Lambert said the driver briefly stopped at the red light, then drove into the path of the oncoming train.

The train struck the right side of the Chrysler, pinning the male passenger inside the vehicle.

“The passenger had to be removed from the vehicle by the Houston Fire Department,” Lambert said.