PLEASANT HILL, Mo. — One person has died after a FedEx truck collided with an Amtrak train near Pleasant Hill, Missouri, on Tuesday morning.
Sgt. Bill Lowe with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 9:48 a.m. near Smart Road and South Hereford Road, roughly 3 miles outside of Pleasant Hill.
There were 35 people on the Amtrak train at the time of the crash, but none of the passengers were injured.
The FedEx driver died as a result of the crash. He has been identified as 34-year-old Patrick E. Metz, of Kansas City, Missouri.
As of 12:30 p.m. the train was still stopped outside of Pleasant Hill as officials work at the scene and get information from passengers.
Officials initially planned for the train to continue its normal route since there was no significant damage to the train. However, a spokesperson later said the passengers were transferred to chartered buses to continue on to Chicago.
Sgt. Bill Lowe with the Missouri State Highway Patrol tells FOX4 the area where the train and truck crashed is an uncontrolled crossing, meaning there are no crossing gates, lights or other moving barriers to warn drivers.
There is a stop sign and a sign noting the railroad crossing at the intersection. Lowe also noted there are no obstructions blocking view of an oncoming train.
“There’s no obstruction, no trees obstructing. It’s a clear-sighted difference from Hereford Road all the way up to the tracks itself,” Lowe said.
A representative for FedEx released the following statement:
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those involved in this accident. Safety is our highest priority, and we are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities at this time.”
Amtrak also released a statement to FOX4:
“These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers. They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings.
“Amtrak continues to work closely with Operation Lifesaver (OLI) to #STOPTrackTragedies by emphasizing the obvious dangers of being on railroad property or disregarding warnings at rail crossings.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is leading this investigation.
This is the second time in less than a year that an Amtrak train has crashed into a vehicle at an uncontrolled crossing in rural Missouri.
In June 2022, Amtrak’s Southwest Chief derailed near the small town of Mendon, Missouri, after striking a dump truck.
Four people were killed in that crash — three passengers on the train and the driver of the truck — and at least 150 other passengers were injured. Multiple lawsuits have been filed as a result of the crash.
Last fall, months after the Amtrak crash in Mendon, the Missouri Department of Transportation requested $50 million in its 2024 budget request to upgrade rail crossings across the state.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.