Westland Amtrak crash sends garbage-truck driver to hospital
A garbage-truck driver was taken to a hospital Thursday after an Amtrak train hit the truck and split it in two.
The Westland Police Department said the collision happened around 8:30 a.m. Oct. 22 at the Merriman Road railroad crossing south of Michigan Avenue. Officers from Westland and Wayne responded, and Merriman Road was closed in both directions Thursday morning.
A witness said the truck drove around lowered crossing gates while warning lights were flashing. The witness said bystanders checked on the driver before police arrived.
An Amtrak spokesperson said Train 351 carried 136 passengers plus crew members. The train runs from Pontiac to Chicago. No one aboard was hurt.
Police and firefighters were investigating the collision. The truck driver's condition was not available Thursday morning.
Michigan railroad-crossing duties and work-truck evidence
Michigan drivers must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail when a clearly visible signal warns of an approaching train or a crossing gate is lowered. Under MCL 257.667, drivers can't go through, around or under a gate while it's closed, opening or closing. They must wait until they can proceed safely. Violating the law is a civil infraction.
Determining responsibility also requires evidence of what each person or company did and whether that conduct caused harm. Crossing video, signal records and train operating data can help establish when warnings activated and how a collision unfolded. A work truck may also have camera footage, route data and maintenance records held by its operator or owner.
Michigan Legal Center's explanation of garbage and construction truck accident claims discusses how ownership, employment and maintenance records can help identify the parties responsible for a work-truck crash.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles truck accident and serious injury claims.
If you were injured in a crash involving a train or work truck, Contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether the matter falls within Michigan Legal Center's practice areas.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.