Amtrak passenger train strikes unoccupied vehicle in Tuscaloosa County; no injuries reported

A train operated by Amtrak, en route from New Orleans to New York City, was involved in a collision with a vehicle in Vance, Alabama, last Thursday.

According to an Amtrak spokesperson, the vehicle was on the tracks when the accident occurred around 4:10 p.m. Fortunately, none of the 164 passengers or crew members aboard the train sustained any injuries.

Authorities are investigating the incident, with Amtrak working alongside local law enforcement. The company also referenced guidelines set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding railway safety.

The FRA has reported that trespassing on railroad property remains the leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the U.S., while accidents at railroad crossings rank second. The agency stresses that these incidents can have severe consequences for those directly involved, their families, train operators, and passengers.

Amtrak has also been working to mitigate collisions in a collaborative effort with the national rail safety education nonprofit Operation Lifesaver through the organization’s #STOPTrackTragedies initiative. The goal of the initiative is to raise awareness about the dangers of trespassing on railway property and disregarding safety warnings at crossings amongst the public.