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Police: Charleroi bus driver drove across railroad crossing as train was approaching

CHARLEROI, Pa. — A Charleroi Area School District substitute bus driver was cited for allegedly traveling across a Stockdale railroad crossing as a train was approaching.

The bus driver came up to the crossing and looked both ways.  The light started to come on, and the driver crossed the tracks, police said. The gate came down and hit the bus, according to police.

"Right as he started to go through the crossing, the gates actually closed on the bus, in which they had to stop traffic and get the bus out of there," said Sgt. Brady Pascoe.

Gary Koteles' 7-year-old son was on the bus last Tuesday morning when this happened.

"The regular bus driver usually does a very good job.  This was a substitute that day," he said.

Police said the substitute driver, Mark Gazi, who used to be a police officer, was on his way to Charleroi Elementary School.

Investigators cited Gazi with careless driving this week, but Pascoe said they are looking into other charges.

None of the students on the bus were hurt.