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Driver Arrested On DUI After Muni Train Tunnel Crash

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Service on the San Francisco Municipal Railway underground Metro system was restored Thursday morning hours after a man drove his SUV into a Muni tunnel, causing a major headache for commuters. The driver was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Trains resumed service by 8:15 a.m., according to Muni spokesman Paul Rose.  Some damage was done to the tracks, but Rose said crews would do repairs with trains moving slower through the affected area.

"The car is cleared off of the tracks, but it will remain in the subway throughout service the rest of the day," Rose said.

Scott Mitchell
Scott Mitchell was arrested on DUI charges for the SF Muni tunnel crash. (SFPD)

The SUV entered the tunnel at Duboce and Church streets just behind the Safeway on Market Street shortly after 6 a.m., Rose said.

Rose said the driver nearly made it nearly half a mile before his vehicle got stuck on the tracks just before Van Ness Station.

The driver, identified as Scott Mitchell, was booked on DUI at 11 a.m.

Muni light-rail service was halted on the on the L-Taraval, M-Ocean View, N-Judah, K-Ingleside, J-Church and T-Third Street lines.

Shuttle buses were put in place between West Portal Station and Embarcadero St. and ran until the SUV was removed from the tunnel and the tracks inspected for damage, according to Rose.

No injuries were reported and no trains were involved in the incident, Rose said.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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