Police investigate hit and run, deadly train accident

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An argument at a Royal Oak restaurant spilled into the streets early Saturday then turned violent at the hands of a driver who police say purposely ran over two people.

“Officers quickly responded to the area and realized that a woman had been struck then a male was also struck by the car,” Lt. Spencer said. 

 Royal Oak Police Lieutenant Keith Spencer says a man likely tied to the argument took his Buick Rendezvous and sped towards a woman standing near the Jolly Pumpkin bar hitting her.

“The driver then turned his vehicle struck another pedestrian in the lot and struck a couple signs, a parked vehicle then fled the scene,” he said. 

They're searching for the driver a white male in his 20s, with a beard, dark hair about 5'8" and 170 pounds.

His gold or tan Rendezvous will have front end damage, a shattered driver's side window and a broken passenger side taillight.

Both people hurt were taken to the hospital and they're expected to be okay.

“It’s just fortunate that no one else was hurt in this incident,” Lt. Spencer added. 

A half hour earlier a block away from the hit and run a death on the train tracks.

“A group of individuals had disregarded the pedestrian crossing gate as an Amtrak train was approaching,” he said. 

A 21 year old Bloomfield Hills man tripped and fell, he couldn't move out of the way in time and was killed.

“I can't stress enough how important it is to understand and obey the signs, the gates the lights the noise,” he said. 

This is the second time in the last six months someone was killed trying to cross while a train was coming in Royal Oak.

Lt. Spencer says just wait.

“It's been said time and time again you can't beat a train,” Lt. Spencer said.