FELA Lawyer News Blog

REESEVILLE, WI – Two people were killed in a crash between an Amtrak passenger train and a pickup truck on May 21, 2011 in the village of Reeseville, WI.

Scattered wreckage and a fire that destroyed railroad crossing signal equipment in the aftermath of a Wisconsin Amtrak train crash that left two people dead on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Photo credit: Dodge County Sheriff's Department

Reeseville is located in Dodge County, Wisconsin in the southeastern part of the state, about 46 miles southwest of Fond du Lac.

The fatal train accident happened on Saturday evening around a quarter to 6 p.m. at the railroad crossing on Main Street in the middle of town.

Location of fatal train accident that killed two people in the village of Reeseville, WI at the Main Street railroad crossing on May 21, 2011 at about 5:42 p.m.

Both the driver and a passenger of the pickup truck were killed in the crash. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of the families. The only details available are that both of the victims were male, and the driver was 41 years old and a resident of Reeseville and the passenger was 48 years old.

The eastbound Amtrak train was on its way to Chicago, IL from Seattle, WA when, according to officials, the driver of the pickup truck went around the crossing arms and was struck by an oncoming train.

The story appeared in an article at the TMJ Channel 4 News website:

Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls said a pickup truck intentionally went around the railroad crossing arms and was struck by the east bound train near Main st., also known as County Road G.

The article also had more details of the train crash:

Steve Culm, a spokesperson with Amtrak says Amtrak 8, the Empire Builder, was involved in the crash. The train originated in Seattle and was destined for Chicago.

In the aftermath of the horrific crash, all that was left of the pickup truck was scattered wreckage. The accident also ignited a fire which damaged some of the railroad crossing signal equipment.

Fortunately, there were no injuries to any railroad workers or any of the 281 passengers riding on the train, nor were there any reports of hazardous materials spilled as a result of the crash.

Also, none of the cars derailed as a result of the incident, either.

The tracks and crossing signals belong to the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

Published by FELA lawyer news blog at Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP

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