An Amtrak passenger train struck a garbage truck Thursday morning, October 22, 2026, at a railroad crossing on Merriman Road near Michigan Avenue in Wayne.

The force of the Amtrak train crash in Wayne split the truck into two sections. The truck driver was transported to a hospital, and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

What Happened in the Amtrak Train Crash in Wayne

The collision occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Merriman Road railroad crossing, just south of Michigan Avenue near the Wayne-Westland border.

Early reports identified the location as Westland, but authorities later confirmed that the collision occurred in Wayne.

The train was Amtrak Train 351, which operates between Pontiac and Chicago. An Amtrak spokesperson reported that 136 passengers and crew members were aboard.

The vehicle involved was a garbage truck operated by Priority Waste.

The impact separated the truck into two sections.

According to a WWJ reporter at the scene, the front portion of the truck, including the cab, remained on Merriman Road while the rear section was dragged a considerable distance along the railroad tracks.

Wayne police said the truck driver was taken to a local hospital and was expected to recover.

Amtrak initially reported that no passengers or crew members had been injured. However, police later said one train passenger had been transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

Authorities have not released additional information about the injuries.

Police said they did not believe alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision.

Investigators are still determining the circumstances leading to the crash.

According to police, the garbage truck went around lowered crossing gates before entering the train’s path.

A driver who was several vehicles behind the truck also told WWJ that the crossing’s red warning lights were flashing at the time.

These details reflect the information reported by police and witnesses. The investigation remains ongoing, and no final determination of legal responsibility has been reported.

Merriman Road was closed in both directions for much of Thursday morning while Wayne and Westland police responded to the scene.

A Second Amtrak Crossing Crash in Two Days

Thursday’s collision occurred one day after an Amtrak train struck an SUV at a railroad crossing in Dexter, Michigan.

No injuries were reported in that earlier incident.

The two crashes highlight the risks associated with railroad crossings, particularly where passenger trains travel through areas with regular vehicle traffic.

Some residents near Merriman Road told reporters they have observed drivers traveling around crossing gates when trains are approaching.

Those observations raise concerns about crossing safety, although they do not independently establish what happened in Thursday’s collision.

Why Railroad Crossing Crashes Are So Dangerous

Passenger trains are substantially heavier than passenger vehicles and commercial trucks.

Because of their size and momentum, trains generally require a considerable distance to stop, even when emergency braking is applied.

This means a train operator may have limited ability to avoid a collision when a vehicle enters the tracks immediately ahead of an approaching train.

The forces involved can cause extensive damage to road vehicles.

Even large commercial vehicles, including garbage trucks, may sustain severe structural damage when struck by a moving train.

Railroad crossings in busy Metro Detroit corridors can present additional challenges.

Traffic congestion may cause vehicles to stop near the tracks, while drivers approaching a crossing may misjudge the speed or distance of an oncoming train.

Large commercial trucks may also need additional time to travel completely across a railroad crossing.

These factors demonstrate why motorists should obey warning devices and avoid entering tracks unless there is enough room to clear the crossing safely.

Common Injuries in Train-Vehicle Collisions

Police have not released detailed information about the garbage truck driver’s injuries.

In general, collisions between trains and motor vehicles can cause several types of injuries, depending on the circumstances and severity of the impact.

Potential injuries include:

Head and brain injuries: Sudden impacts and rapid deceleration can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
Neck and spinal injuries: Collision forces may cause fractures, spinal cord damage, or other serious injuries.
Crush injuries and broken bones: Vehicle deformation can cause fractures and injuries to muscles, nerves, and surrounding tissues.
Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma may damage organs and other structures within the chest or abdomen.
Injuries to train passengers: Sudden braking or impact forces may cause passengers to fall, strike nearby surfaces, or experience other injuries.

The severity of these injuries varies considerably.

Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms after a collision should seek prompt medical evaluation. Potentially serious injuries require immediate attention.

Michigan Railroad Crossing Laws

Michigan law establishes specific requirements for drivers approaching railroad crossings.

Under MCL 257.667, motorists must stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail when certain conditions exist, including when flashing warning signals indicate an approaching train or crossing gates are lowered.

Drivers may not proceed until they can do so safely.

The statute also prohibits driving through, around, or under a crossing gate or barrier while it is closed or being opened or closed.

Violations of these requirements may result in civil infraction penalties.

In the October 22 collision, police reported that the garbage truck traveled around lowered crossing gates.

However, the investigation remains ongoing, and the reported conduct should not be treated as a final legal determination.

Insurance and Liability After a Railroad Crossing Crash

Railroad crossing collisions can involve complicated questions about insurance coverage, driver responsibility, employer obligations, and the conduct of other parties.

The following information explains general Michigan legal principles and does not establish that any particular person or company was negligent in Thursday’s crash.

Injured Workers and No-Fault Benefits

When an employee is injured while operating a vehicle as part of their job, more than one insurance or benefit system may be relevant.

Michigan’s no-fault law, including MCL 500.3105, provides qualifying personal protection insurance (PIP) benefits for accidental bodily injuries arising out of the ownership, operation, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle.

Depending on the circumstances and applicable coverage, those benefits may include medical expenses, wage loss, and certain other covered losses.

An employee injured while performing work duties may also qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.

However, receiving benefits through one system can affect what is payable through another.

Under MCL 500.3109, certain benefits provided under state or federal law are subtracted from otherwise payable no-fault benefits.

This coordination can apply to workers’ compensation benefits, depending on the nature of the benefits and the circumstances.

It does not mean that an injured worker will automatically receive payments from both systems.

Determining which benefits are available requires reviewing the employment relationship, applicable insurance policies, statutory priority rules, and coordination requirements.

Vehicle Owner and Employer Responsibility

Michigan law may impose responsibility on vehicle owners in certain circumstances involving negligent operation.

Under MCL 257.401, the owner of a motor vehicle may be liable for injuries resulting from negligent operation when the vehicle is driven with the owner’s express or implied consent or knowledge, subject to the statute’s requirements and limitations.

Commercial vehicle collisions may also raise questions about an employer’s responsibility for conduct occurring within the scope of employment.

However, the fact that a business owns or operates a vehicle does not automatically establish negligence.

Liability depends on the evidence and the legal requirements applicable to the claim.

The garbage truck involved in Thursday’s collision was operated by Priority Waste, but authorities have not reported a final determination of legal responsibility.

Potential Claims by Other Injured People

A railroad crossing collision may injure people who were not driving the road vehicle involved.

For example, passengers aboard a train may suffer injuries when a train strikes a vehicle or another obstruction.

Whether an injured train passenger has a legal claim depends on the circumstances, the responsible parties, and the applicable legal principles.

Potential claims may involve negligence or other theories, depending on the facts.

Michigan’s automobile no-fault provisions, including MCL 500.3135, may apply to certain claims involving motor vehicles.

However, the statutory injury threshold governing some automobile negligence claims does not necessarily apply to every potential claim involving a train passenger.

Michigan’s comparative fault provisions, including MCL 600.2959, may affect recoverable damages in qualifying cases.

Many negligence-based personal injury lawsuits are subject to a three-year limitations period under MCL 600.5805, although the applicable deadline depends on the claim and any relevant exceptions.

Claims involving railroads may also raise additional legal issues, including potentially applicable federal law.

A Michigan car accident lawyer can help injured individuals understand which parties, insurers, and legal requirements may be relevant.

Train collisions have affected Metro Detroit before. Our previous report about a Detroit collision involving an Amtrak train discusses another incident involving passenger rail service.

What to Do After a Railroad Crossing Crash

Railroad crossing collisions may involve motorists, commercial vehicle operators, train passengers, employers, and railroad personnel.

Anyone injured in such an accident should prioritize medical care and safety.

Several additional steps may help preserve important information:

Seek appropriate medical treatment. Obtain immediate care for serious injuries and follow up when symptoms or medical concerns arise.
Request the police report. Identify the investigating agencies and obtain available crash documentation.
Notify your employer when applicable. Employees injured while working should report the incident and ask about potential workers’ compensation requirements.
Identify applicable insurance coverage. Notify the appropriate insurer promptly and comply with relevant notice and filing deadlines.
Preserve evidence when possible. Save photographs, witness information, and any available documentation involving the crossing signals, gates, or roadway conditions.
Use caution with recorded statements. Consider obtaining legal guidance before giving detailed statements to another party’s insurer or signing settlement documents.

The appropriate steps depend on the circumstances of the collision and the person’s role in the incident.

Railroad Crossing Safety Tips

Railroad warning devices are designed to alert motorists to approaching trains and prevent vehicles from entering the tracks when a crossing is unsafe.

Drivers can reduce the risk of collisions by following several basic precautions.

Never drive around lowered crossing gates. Wait until the gates have fully risen and warning signals have stopped before proceeding when it is safe.
Stop for active warning signals. Flashing lights and other crossing warnings indicate that drivers must follow applicable stopping requirements.
Never stop on railroad tracks. Before entering a crossing, make sure there is enough space on the other side for the entire vehicle.
Watch for additional trains. At crossings with multiple tracks, another train may approach after the first has passed.
Exit immediately if a vehicle becomes stuck on the tracks. Get everyone out, move a safe distance away, and avoid remaining near the vehicle.
Notify emergency authorities and the railroad. Use the Emergency Notification System number posted at the crossing to report a vehicle obstructing the tracks. Call 911 when emergency assistance is needed.

If a train is approaching a stranded vehicle, occupants should move away from the tracks and potential debris path. Railroad safety guidance recommends moving at an angle toward the direction of the approaching train when it is safe to do so, rather than remaining near the vehicle or moving along the train’s path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to drive around railroad crossing gates in Michigan?

Yes. Under MCL 257.667, Michigan generally prohibits driving through, around, or under a railroad crossing gate or barrier while it is closed or being opened or closed. Drivers must also obey applicable warning signals and may not proceed until it is safe.

How far from the tracks must Michigan drivers stop at a railroad crossing?

When the stopping requirements under MCL 257.667 apply, drivers must stop no more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. They may proceed only when it is safe and lawful to do so.

Does workers’ compensation or no-fault insurance pay when an employee is injured while driving for work?

Workers’ compensation and Michigan no-fault benefits may both be relevant, depending on the circumstances. However, certain workers’ compensation benefits may be subtracted from otherwise payable no-fault benefits under MCL 500.3109. Eligibility, coverage, and coordination requirements determine what benefits are available.

Can a train passenger file a claim after a railroad crossing crash?

Possibly. An injured train passenger may have a claim depending on the circumstances and the conduct of the responsible parties. Different legal standards may apply depending on whether the claim involves a motorist, railroad, or another party.

What should I do if my vehicle stalls on railroad tracks?

Get everyone out of the vehicle immediately and move a safe distance away from the tracks. If a train is approaching, move away from the tracks and potential debris path. Contact the railroad using the Emergency Notification System number posted at the crossing and call 911 when emergency assistance is needed. Do not return to the vehicle until authorities confirm it is safe.

Wayne police reported that the garbage truck driver was expected to recover following Thursday’s collision, while one Amtrak passenger was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The incident demonstrates how serious a railroad crossing collision can become, even when the road vehicle involved is a large commercial truck.

The attorneys at Macomb County Accident Attorneys help injured individuals and families throughout Metro Detroit understand their legal options following serious motor vehicle accidents.

If you have questions about an accident or potential insurance claim, contact our office to discuss your circumstances.

Source: ClickOnDetroit