Dump truck driver killed in collision with train identified

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orange County train tracks at the center of a deadly collision reopened Thursday night.

The tracks were closed all day Thursday after an Amtrak train collided with a dump truck around 11 a.m., just west of the intersection of South Orange and Nela avenues.

The collision killed the truck driver and caused the dump truck to catch fire, officials said.

Troopers identified the driver as Seeram Matadial, 44, of Orlando.

Crews finished clearing the scene Thursday night.

The driver of the dump truck was ejected from the vehicle. His body was found about 150 feet from the point of impact, according to FHP troopers.

"I just ran across the street, tried to find a body, and we did, he was dead," said eyewitness Michael Lombardi.

The train was traveling southbound when it collided with the westbound truck, according to troopers.

"We just heard a loud boom," said Lombardi.

"We were in our cabin, we heard a crash, but it wasn't real, real hard, but it tore the dump truck in half," said one of the train's passengers.

FHP troopers said witnesses told them the truck did not stop before crossing the tracks.

According to troopers the train was traveling 60 miles per hour. The speed limit for trains through that area is 70 mph, according to troopers.

The crossing, at Glenrose Road, did not have electronic signals or arm bars. FHP troopers said there were stop signs on either side of the tracks.

"This intersection is not traveled by numerous vehicles. You have to be going into this business to go through this intersection," said FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.

Montes said she was aware of one accident, several years ago, at the same intersection.

The train was carrying 140 passengers and 13 crew members, according to officials.

Orange County Fire Rescue treated several people for minor injuries. Troopers said 10 people from the train were taken by ambulance to three area hospitals.

According to one hospital representative, none of the passengers appear to have suffered serious injuries.

WFTV