SALT LAKE CITY – An Amtrak train collided with a semitrailer on Wednesday in southeastern Utah, killing the truck driver and injuring several Amtrak passengers, authorities said.
The California Zephyr was carrying 119 passengers from Emeryville, Calif., to Chicago when it hit the truck at a train crossing just south of Interstate 70, about 46 miles east of Green River, said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham. The crossing only has warning signs, Graham said.
It appeared the truck, which was hauling trash, tried to cross the tracks in front of the approaching train, said sheriff's Chief Deputy Curt Brewer. The train pushed the truck about a half mile before coming to a stop with the front wheel of the lead engine off the track, he said.
The identity of the 26-year-old truck driver killed in the crash was not immediately released.
Brewer said five people on the train were hurt, and one was sent to a hospital for evaluation. Amtrak's Graham could confirm only two injuries.
Union Pacific crews were helping re-rail the train so it could continue east, Graham said.
The Federal Railroad Administration will investigate, said spokesman Steve Kulm. The agency only investigates train incidents with a heightened public interest, but Kulm declined to give specifics on what drew the agency's attention to Wednesday's accident.
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