Fatal Crash and Train Derailment Near Amherst

  • This BSNF train derailed two miles west of Amherst as the result of a collision with a truck at the Hwy 84 and County Road 125 railroad crossing. Texas Department of Public Safety shut down the westbound lane of Hwy 84 from the County Road 125 crossing for two miles to the Amherst railroad crossing. Traffic was diverted into Amherst and over to Sudan. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    This BSNF train derailed two miles west of Amherst as the result of a collision with a truck at the Hwy 84 and County Road 125 railroad crossing. Texas Department of Public Safety shut down the westbound lane of Hwy 84 from the County Road 125 crossing for two miles to the Amherst railroad crossing. Traffic was diverted into Amherst and over to Sudan. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • The crash debris left by the Western Pump truck which collided with the train at the County Road 125 Crossing two miles west of Amherst. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    The crash debris left by the Western Pump truck which collided with the train at the County Road 125 Crossing two miles west of Amherst. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • Co2 can be seen escaping a tanker of the BSNF train following a collision and derailment two miles west of Amherst on Monday, July 31,2023. The materials the train was carrying were deemed a low hazard to the public. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Co2 can be seen escaping a tanker of the BSNF train following a collision and derailment two miles west of Amherst on Monday, July 31,2023. The materials the train was carrying were deemed a low hazard to the public. (Photo by Ann Reagan)

At approximately 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023, a 2021 Western Pump truck driven by Brent Michael Spahich, 25 years of age, of Borger, Texas, was traveling south on County Road 125, approximately two miles west of Amherst, Texas.

A Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train containing two engines and five rail cars, was traveling eastbound on the tracks approaching the CR 125 intersection. Mr. Spahich failed to yield the right of way at the railroad crossing at Hwy 84. The impact of the collision rolled the truck into a deep ditch on the north side of the railroad track, and caused the derailment of the five rail cars.

Emergency Departments from Sudan and Amherst responded to the crash site. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety report, Mr. Spahich succumbed to his injuries as he was being transported to Lamb Healthcare Center by the Sudan ambulance.

BSNF crews along with Sudan and Amherst Fire departments cleared the scene of any hazardous materials the train was carrying. All Ways Towing of Littlefield dispatched three wrecker vehicles to assist in clearing the crash debris.

Westbound traffic on HWY 84 westbound was diverted through Amherst to Sudan during the crash investigation and the clean up operations.