Mobile PD provides details on deadly crash involving an Amtrak train and vehicle

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile Police Department has released new details about the fatal crash involving an Amtrak train and a car.

Police said at approximately 6:28 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to a vehicle collision involving a train at the intersection of Navco Road and Dog River Drive North.

The driver of the car was identified as 28-year-old Chadwick Timmons.

Police say Timmons was driving south on Navco when police say he allegedly attempted to cross the railroad while the safety arms were active and indicating an oncoming train, according to officials.

The MPD said the train collided with the vehicle causing the train to stop and the vehicle to catch fire.

Timmons was pronounced dead on scene, and an investigation is ongoing.

An Amtrak official told FOX10 News the train was traveling from New Orleans to Mobile as part of a qualification for Amtrak’s planned new passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast. A date for that service has not been announced.

There have been no reported injuries to the crew onboard, according to Amtrak, which added that it is working with local law police to investigate the accident.

FOX10 News spoke with one witness, Sandra Politis, on scene.

“I saw the arms down to the train track,” Politis said. “I saw the Amtrak train, heard the whistle coming so loud, and it was probably because of the car. I heard the whistle so loud, because the car was trying to cross. He was in between the rails, the rails were down and the train hit the car.”

Reporter Brendan Kirby contributed to this report.

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