‘There wasn’t time to react’: Semi-truck driver speaks after crash with train in Durham

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — A dashcam video shows the moment an Amtrak train struck a semi-truck in Durham Tuesday morning.

Read more Man attacking another dies after shooting by Raleigh resident; no charges filed in Summit Avenue incident: Police

According to officials, the crash happened around 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of East Pettigrew and Ramseur Street.

The driver of the truck, who was injured in the crash, spoke to CBS 17 after he was treated at the hospital for bruises. Requesting to remain anonymous, he shared his story and his dashcam video of the incident.

According to the driver, he was backing up from a dead-end driveway when he found he had nowhere to turn around and became trapped on the tracks by the warning gate arms.

“Once I got on the railroad track, I didn’t even know [the train] was coming,” he said. “I didn’t hear a train horn. There wasn’t time to react.. Even if I had time to pull forward, I would have got hit.”

Read more Shinnecock scouting report: Scheffler and McIlroy say wide fairways and big rough for US Open

No one else was hurt, including the 235 passengers and crew on the Amtrak Carolinian 80 train, which was traveling from Charlotte to New York.

The train did not show any signs of visible damage and continued its route the day of the crash.

Hazmat crews spent several hours cleaning oil and diesel fuel from the road, along with wreckage.

People living along the tracks said they have been dealing with hazards in the area for years. CBS 17 is looking into those reports.

Read more Belmont Park rebuild nears the finish line as the Belmont Stakes is a year from returning home