No injuries were reported after the early Friday crash, but investigators had not found the truck driver.
ATLANTA, GA — Police were searching for the driver of a semi-truck that was struck by a CSX train early Friday in southwest Atlanta, sparking a fire, scattering debris and briefly disrupting MARTA rail service near the crash scene.
The crash happened about 3:45 a.m. June 26 near the railroad crossing at Sylvan Road and Lee Street, close to Lee Street and Sparks Street. Officials said no injuries were reported, but the truck driver was gone when first responders arrived. Investigators believe the driver got out of the truck before the train hit it.
Atlanta Fire Rescue crews responded just before 4 a.m. to reports of a vehicle fire in the area. When firefighters arrived, they found the semi-truck burning after the collision. Capt. Andrew Anderson of Atlanta Fire Rescue said crews were able to “put a stop to this fire” and keep it from spreading to the train. Officials said the fire damaged the cab and front portion of the tractor-trailer. The train dragged the truck about 500 feet before coming to a stop, leaving wreckage across the rail line and nearby road.
CSX said the train came in contact with a vehicle on the tracks near the Sylvan Road and Lee Street crossing. The company said the train crew was not hurt and that the cause of the crash remained under investigation. CSX also said the crash happened on a Norfolk Southern line. Emergency officials said they did not find hazardous materials on the train or the truck. Crews worked through the morning to put out flames, clear debris and inspect the scene. Officials said they had not made contact with the truck driver, and it was not clear why the driver left the area.
The crash briefly affected MARTA service because the wreck happened below elevated rail tracks between the West End and Oakland City stations. MARTA halted trains in the area while crews checked the rail structure and police activity continued below. The agency provided alternate service for riders at Lakewood, Oakland City, West End and Garnett stations during the disruption. Officials later said normal rail service had resumed, including service to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Fire officials said soot and heat reached parts of the nearby rail infrastructure, but early checks showed only light heat exposure.
The scene sits in a busy part of Atlanta’s westside, near Lee & White and the Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail. Images from the area showed burned truck parts, scattered freight and debris along the tracks. Some wreckage appeared to include Amazon-branded packing tape and shipping materials. Amazon said the packages were being moved by a third-party carrier, not an Amazon truck, and that the driver was not an Amazon employee. The company said the materials were shipping supplies, not customer orders.
Investigators were still working to determine how the truck ended up on the tracks and whether the driver left because of injury, fear or another reason. A nearby resident told a local station that someone who appeared to be the driver was seen limping away from the crash area. Officials did not identify that person, and police had not announced charges as of the latest reports. The investigation includes the railroad companies, Atlanta police and fire officials who responded to the wreck.
The collision left no reported injuries, but it caused a major emergency response before sunrise and created delays during the Friday morning commute. Crews remained at the scene after trains began moving again, clearing the burned trailer and checking the crossing area. Officials said the most urgent public safety issue was contained once the fire was extinguished and MARTA cleared the rail line for service.
As of Monday, authorities had not publicly identified the semi-truck driver or announced what caused the crash. The next step is the completion of the crash investigation by police and railroad officials.
Author note: Last updated June 29, 2026.