Driver Dies After Tanker Truck Collides with Amtrak Train Near Guadalupe; Three Others Injured, Diesel Spill Closes Highway 1

A semi-truck tanker collided with an Amtrak passenger train at Highway 1 and Brown Road near Guadalupe in Santa Barbara County around 4:18 p.m. Wednesday. The driver of the tanker truck has died and three people onboard the train were injured as well as triggering a large diesel spill, authorities said.

About 260 passengers were aboard the train, which remained upright and on the tracks after the crash. At the initial response, three people suffered minor injuries and one person—the tanker truck’s solo driver—sustained major injuries. All four were transported by two ground ambulances to Marian Regional Medical Center.

It was announced late Thursday the driver had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the driver at 4:13 p.m. made a right turn onto a dirt road which led to an agricultural field where there was an uncontrolled railroad crossing.

The passenger Amtrak train was traveling northbound and crashed into the right side of the tanker truck. The truck then rolled onto its side and spilled diesel fuel across the dirt roadway and agricultural field.

Passengers were kept on the train while buses were arranged to take them to their destinations.

Officials estimate the tanker spilled about 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel. The leak was stopped and was not actively flowing as crews worked on containment and cleanup.

Highway 1 initially closed between Main Street and Brown Road following the collision. The road reopened in the area south of Guadalupe at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday while cleanup continued, but Caltrans closed it again at 8:30 a.m. Thursday from State Route 166 East to Brown Road to allow for highway repairs. There is no estimated time for reopening.

“This is a tragic event and a reminder to all of us to exercise extreme caution when driving in agricultural rural areas, especially at uncontrolled railroad crossings,” the CHP said in a news release. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the tanker truck driver which sadly lost his life.”

The identity of the driver has yet to be released.

Amtrak passengers are encouraged to check their itineraries if they were planned to travel through the area as it may have changed due to the crash.

Agencies responding included Guadalupe Fire and Police, California Highway Patrol, Santa Maria Fire, Santa Barbara County Fire, and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

[Ed Note: This article has been updated with new information regarding the crash and one fatality.]