An SUV driver met with a fatal end when an Amtrak train slammed into the vehicle in Round Rock on Wednesday morning, officials reported. The crash, which took place at around 11 a.m. at the crossing of Interstate 35 frontage road and McNeil Road, saw the driver, the only occupant in the SUV, pronounced dead at the scene, as per Round Rock authorities.
Round Rock Police along with fire departments were quickly on the scene. They were joined by teams from Amtrak and Union Pacific in the response effort. According to a FOX San Antonio report, the investigation into the collision is being spearheaded by the Amtrak Police, working in conjunction with local law enforcement officials.
The train, Amtrak Train 22, was en route from San Antonio to Chicago when the incident occurred. Despite the severity of the accident, and a delay of approximately four hours, none of the 46 passengers nor crew aboard the train sustained injuries, Amtrak confirmed.
For a time, the Interstate 35 frontage roads were closed in both directions near McNeil Road as police conducted their examination, but later traffic was restored to normal flow. "Amtrak Police are working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident. The train was delayed about four hours before continuing north," an Amtrak spokesperson said, according to a KXAN report. The spokesperson also noted that Amtrak was collaborating with local emergency responders and carrying out a routine investigation to report to regulators and perform an internal review.
While additional details surrounding the cause of the collision have yet to be disclosed. The aftermath of such incidents often prompt questions about rail crossing safety and the intersecting lines of transport infrastructure – not just in Round Rock, but across the nation where roads meet tracks.
