In Jacksonville’s Dinsmore area, a man is in serious condition after a collision with an Amtrak train, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred when the Amtrak train, traveling south on Moncrief Dinsmore Road, encountered a Kia heading east on Dunn Avenue. The driver of the Kia reportedly bypassed the rail crossing arms and entered the tracks. The ensuing collision resulted in the Amtrak train dragging the car approximately a quarter mile south to Civic Club Drive.
The injured man, in his 30s, was promptly transported to a hospital in serious condition. Police noted that the train, carrying 200 people en route to Jacksonville with 10 railcars, was traveling at its normal speed of 78 mph. Fortunately, none of the passengers on the train sustained injuries in the incident. JSO Sgt. Robert Hungerford urged caution, emphasizing the importance of patience, as reckless actions around railway crossings can have severe consequences.
The arrival of the Amtrak train was delayed by about three hours due to the collision. Passengers at the Amtrak station expressed their frustration and concern over the unexpected delay. Carol Adesso, awaiting her daughters’ arrival from New Jersey, shared her experience, noting that her daughters were on a separate train directly behind the one involved in the collision. Despite the upheaval, no passengers were harmed, and the incident drew attention to the potential dangers associated with railway crossings.
Civic Club Drive, intersecting the railroad tracks, was temporarily closed in both directions as authorities conducted inspections. Fortunately, the tracks showed no signs of damage. The driver of the Kia will not face criminal charges, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Amidst the disruption caused by the incident, Amtrak offered no additional information, leaving passengers and onlookers to grapple with the aftermath of the collision. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for caution and adherence to safety measures when navigating railway crossings.