A collision between an Amtrak train and a semi-tractor hauling a car hauler resulted in eight individuals sustaining minor injuries on Friday, July 15, 2023, in Lakeland.
The incident prompted the immediate response of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeland Police Department, and Lakeland Fire Department, who arrived at the scene at around 7:04 pm. Seven injured were transported to a local hospital by ambulance, while one opted for private transport.
“It is truly a miracle that nobody was seriously hurt in this crash. A collision between a passenger train and a semi-truck could have been much worse. Our sympathies are with those who were injured. I don’t think I could say enough about the incredible response and total team effort by all of the agencies involved.” -Grady Judd, Sheriff
According to the findings of PCSO crash detectives, the semi-truck was traveling north on Canal Avenue North, just south of US 92 (Memorial Boulevard), and was towing a trailer with seven vehicles when it became lodged on the tracks.
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Meanwhile, the Amtrak train, carrying 163 passengers and ten crewmembers, was heading east on the parallel tracks alongside US 92 after departing from the Lakeland Amtrak station en route from Miami to New York. The train’s engineer, Ronald Webb of Jacksonville, spotted the truck and sounded the horn as the train approached Canal Avenue North at approximately 78 mph.
The crossing arms and lights activated, colliding with the truck’s trailer and prompting the truck driver, Walberto Carrazana Bermudez of Homestead, and his passenger, Jose Luis Lahera Vidal of Hialeah, to quickly exit the vehicle.
The impact caused the train, consisting of two engines and eight cars, to travel east for an additional 200 yards before stopping. The lead engine partially derailed, resulting in a minor diesel fuel leak.
Amtrak arranged for transportation by bus to Tampa to ensure the passengers’ and crewmembers’ safety.
Mr. Bermudez received a citation for insufficient clearance at a railroad crossing. Preliminary estimates indicate that the damages to the train, tracks, CSX property, cleanup costs, and losses due to track downtime may range between 6 and 10 million dollars.
As a result, US 92 and Canal Avenue North remained closed for approximately ten hours. Authorities from CSX, Amtrak, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also responded to the scene. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an ongoing investigation into the crash.