By Farzad Mashhood

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

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The driver of an 18-wheeler was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday after an Amtrak train carrying 211 passengers struck the semi about 10 a.m.

Two passengers on the train, which was headed to Dallas and ultimately to Chicago, were hurt but refused hospital treatment, officials said.

Amtrak train 22, Texas Eagle, left Austin’s downtown station on North Lamar Boulevard about 9:30 a.m. and struck the truck in Hutto about 4 miles east of Dell Diamond off U.S. 79, just west of Texas 130.

Amtrak spokesman Steve Kulm did not know where passengers were on the train when the collision happened. He said he didn’t have names or other information on the injured. No crew members were injured, Kulm said.

The train appeared to have hit the truck as it was crossing over the tracks on a private drive. The crossing did not have a gate.

After the collision, passengers and crew were taken to a nearby church. Buses were arranged to pick passengers up and take them to their next stop, Kulm said.

Officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which investigated the crash, did not know why the truck was on the tracks and did not name the driver of the truck.

fmashhood@statesman.com; 445-3972