(The Associated Press circulated the following article on May 30.)
BLACKMAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Amtrak train en route from Chicago to Pontiac collided with a gravel truck Tuesday at a private crossing, killing the truck driver, officials said.
None of the train’s 150 passengers was seriously injured, officials said. Robert D. Coley, 44, of Jackson was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident reported at 1:05 p.m., sheriff’s officials said.
The train collided with the truck four miles west of the Jackson station, said Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari.
The truck crossed in front of the train, which was unable to stop, and the collision damaged the lead car of the train and sparked a fire, Magliari said. Only the train conductor was in the first car.
”He was shaken up, but didn’t have any serious injuries,” Magliari said.
The train’s engineer took all precautions while approaching the private crossing, Magliari said.
”We have an obligation to sound the horn and flash lights, even at a private crossing that is usually only used by a few people,” he said.
Buses took the passengers to their final destinations, Magliari said.