Eight Passengers Injured in Amtrak and Semi Truck Crash in Florida
(Polk County, Florida – July 14, 2023)
Eight Amtrak passengers were injured after their 78 mph Amtrak train violently struck a semitruck in Polk County, Florida at about 7:00 pm. The semitruck was hauling vehicles at the time of the collision. The crossing where the collision occurred is on N Canal Avenue, just south of U.S. Route 92 in Lakeland.
According to the Polk County sheriff’s office, there were two men inside of the semitruck that was headed north when it became stuck as it attempted to go across the crossing. Both men jumped out of the semitruck as the crossing signal arms contacted the trailer, the sheriff’s office said.
According to reports, the train was able to stop approximately 600 feet after the collision. It is unclear at this time if the train’s emergency braking system was engaged before the collision.
The local police department is continuing its investigation of this crash.
