ATLANTA, GEORGIA — A semi-truck driver fled the scene of a fiery early-morning collision with a CSX freight train on Atlanta's westside Friday, leaving behind a trail of Amazon shipping packages scattered along the tracks and triggering the suspension of MARTA rail service between two stations.

Atlanta Fire Rescue responded at approximately 3:43 a.m. to the intersection of Lee and Sparks streets, near Lee & White and the Westside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline. The CSX train struck the semi-truck at the crossing at Sylvan Road and Lee Street, dragging it approximately 500 feet before coming to a stop. The semi caught fire on impact.

"Our firefighters were able to come out here, put a stop to this fire relatively quickly and keep the fire isolated to the semi-trailer and not to the train," said Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Andrew Anderson.

The Driver

The semi-truck driver was nowhere to be found when crews arrived. A neighbor told a local reporter they saw a person limping away from the crash scene. "We're assuming the driver is no longer on the scene," Capt. Anderson said. No injuries were reported among the train crew or other parties.

MARTA Impact

MARTA rail runs above the intersection where the crash occurred. As a precaution, the transit agency suspended service between Oakland City and West End stations after heat from the fire made contact with the rail support system. "It looks like everything's going to be fine, just some very light heat. But as a precaution, MARTA is taking the time out to make sure everything's safe," Anderson said. A bus bridge was established for passengers at Lakewood, Oakland City, West End, and Garnett stations. Trains resumed movement through the area later in the morning.

The Packages

Hundreds of Amazon packages were scattered along the tracks from the force of the impact. Amazon confirmed the packages were being transported by a third-party carrier, not an Amazon driver or vehicle. The company also confirmed the packages contained shipping supplies, not customer orders.

CSX released a statement Friday afternoon confirming the collision and noting that no train crew members were injured. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Alternate routes around the scene included Northside Drive, I-75/85, and Cascade Avenue.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Information courtesy of local media.

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