One Dead in Train-Truck Crash

AMITE (March 26, 2026)- The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO) Major Crash team is providing an update to yesterday’s deadly train-truck crash that occurred south of the City of Amite.

Just before 2:30 p.m., an Amtrak train traveling southbound struck the front end of a pickup truck traveling eastbound across the railroad tracks on Ponders Quarters Lane. The passenger of the truck, 22-year-old Dorian Batiste, was ejected from the vehicle and, sadly, died at the scene. The driver of the truck was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital Wednesday evening. The train was carrying 149 passengers at the time of the incident. One of those passengers was treated for a panic attack following the crash.

At this stage of the investigation, the TPSO Major Crash team is evaluating a potential malfunction with the truck’s brakes as a possible contributing factor. While this railroad crossing does not have lights and arms, it does have various signs posted on both approaches to the tracks, including warning drivers to yield when approaching from the east and to stop when approaching from the west.  

The TPSO wants to remind all drivers of the best practices when encountering a railroad crossing to avoid tragedies like this.

·        Stop, look both ways, and listen for train traffic before crossing tracks. It is recommended to make that stop at least 15 feet away from the track.

·        If a crossing has lights and arms, never drive around or under those arms when they are activated and the lights are flashing.

·        If a crossing does not have lights and arms, take additional time stopped to look both ways twice before crossing tracks.

In addition, while it is Louisiana law to always wear a seatbelt, although not all crashes are survivable, wearing your seatbelt drastically reduces your chance of injury or death during a crash. Please, buckle up Tangi.

TPSO Public Information Office, pio@tpso.org