Election Section

BAKERSFIELD – An Amtrak train struck a pickup Thursday, hurling the driver 50 feet from his truck and breaking his leg. 

Robert Ray Scott, 47, of Bakersfield, was taken to a hospital for treatment after the 10:30 a.m. accident, California Highway Patrol Officer Greg Williams said. He was listed in critical but stable condition, he said. 

“He’s expected to make a 100 percent recovery ... he’s very fortunate,” Williams said. 

Scott drove past flashing lights at the train tracks, the officer said. 

The 83 train passengers and six crew members escaped injury, Williams said. The accident damaged the locomotive, Amtrak spokeswoman Liz O’Donoghue said. 

The northbound train had left Bakersfield for Oakland 15 minutes before the accident and probably was traveling at 79 mph, she said.