SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -- A Panhandle man was hospitalized after his car was struck by a train early Saturday morning.

Scottsbluff Police officers were called to the intersection of W. Railway and W. 20th Street after receiving reports of a collision between a train and a vehicle.

SPD investigators say that a 2008 white Dodge Nitro driven by 37-year-old Ruben Castillo of Scottsbluff was westbound on W. 20th Street. 

Steven Lopez from Scottsbluff PD said Castillo failed to stop at the lowered railroad crossing arms and proceeded to cross the railroad tracks in front of the approaching east bound BNSF train. 

The train hit the vehicle, causing Castillo to be ejected. The Nitro came to rest on the west side of the tracks approximately 25 feet south of W 20th Street, Lopez said.

Castillo was transported by Valley Ambulance to Regional West Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. He was issued a citation for Driving Under the Influence and Failure to stop at the railroad crossing. 

The Nitro was a total loss and was towed from the scene. The BNSF train sustained minor damage and both east and west bound railroad crossing arms were damaged. 

The crossing was closed during the investigation for approximately 3 hours.  Scottsbluff Fire Department and Valley Ambulance assisted in the response.