Woman escapes train, but not drug arrest

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 | 9:52 a.m.

The woman who barely escaped a train after driving her car onto the railroad tracks Tuesday was booked into the Clark County Detention Center hours later on felony drug trafficking charges and for driving under the influence of a controlled substance, authorities said.

Shanna Anderson Johnston, 24, is charged with trafficking in heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, transporting a controlled substance, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and driving without a valid license, according to jail booking records.

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers found various packets of heroin, crystal meth and cocaine on Johnston during their investigation Tuesday morning, Trooper Angie Wolff said. No drugs were found in the car.

Johnston told the Highway Patrol she was driving east on Craig Road toward Interstate 15 at about 6 a.m. Tuesday when she mistook the tracks for a road.

Johnston's Dodge Stratus got stuck in the center of the tracks about 60 feet south of Craig Road. When she heard the train horn blaring behind her, she jumped out of the car and ran, Wolff said.

The train struck the left rear of the vehicle, spinning it off the tracks. Johnston was not injured.

Police arrested Johnston on the scene after she failed a field sobriety test and they found an undisclosed quantity of narcotics on her person, Wolff said.

Johnston's bail for the six charges is set at $43,200.

Wolff said the drug case will likely be handled by the North Las Vegas Police narcotics unit.