Santa Maria, CA – On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 1, 2025, a collision between an Amtrak train and a tanker truck left a truck driver dead and several passengers injured, according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune, with additional reporting from CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that the crash occurred at 4:13 PM on Highway 1 just north of Brown Road at an uncontrolled railroad crossing.
Officials said the driver of a 2020 Peterbilt truck carried 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel northbound on Highway 1. He reportedly turned onto a dirt road leading to an agricultural field, where the Amtrak train struck the right side of the truck as it crossed the tracks. The impact overturned the truck and spilled diesel fuel across the roadway and into a nearby field.
Emergency crews transported the driver, a Santa Maria man, to Marian Regional Medical Center with major injuries. Authorities confirmed he later died from those injuries.
The Amtrak train carried 260 passengers. Three passengers suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital.
Highway 1 was closed between Brown Road and Highway 166 until 1 AM. Crews closed the same stretch again Thursday morning for cleanup operations. The investigation remains active.
Wrongful Death Claims & Comparative Negligence
Determining fault in a collision can involve multiple factors, and under California’s Comparative Negligence rule, several parties can share partial responsibility. Should someone else be found even partly responsible for the death, the family may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. This can provide compensation to help cover medical bills, funeral expenses, and the loss of income to support the family of the deceased.
Ongoing Investigations
Victims of traffic accidents and their families should be aware that authorities may fail to note or even misinterpret critical evidence at a crash site. One of the services that a Personal Injury Attorney can provide is to pursue follow-up investigations, which can reveal additional evidence to correct any errors made by previous investigators.
California Train Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, contact a California Train Accident Lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
