Chicago-Bound Train Hits Semi-Trailer at Red Light
An eastbound Amtrak train struck a semi-trailer truck stopped at a red light Friday in Flagstaff, Ariz., but no injuries were reported.
The train, bound from Los Angeles to Chicago, had just left the Flagstaff depot and was traveling about 45 m.p.h. through the central part of the city when it hit one of the two trailers on the 18-wheeler. The trailer was dragged about 200 feet and was demolished, but the cab of the truck was not damaged.
Fire Department officials said the truck driver escaped injury, as did the 350 train passengers and the train crew. Most of the train passengers said they did not even feel the impact.
Fire Capt. Paul Hellenberg said the truck driver, whose name was not immediately released, had stopped the truck behind a line of cars at a traffic light and mistakenly thought the trailers were off the railroad track.
After a 45-minute delay, the train continued on its way.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
