U.S. Rep. Paulsen Uninjured in Fatal Virginia Train Crash

It was tense moments Wednesday morning for U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen and other GOP congressional leaders. They were aboard an Amtrak train headed to a retreat in West Virginia when the train struck a garbage truck. The driver of the truck was killed, according to multiple reports, and a passenger of the truck was badly injured.

The incident happened in the rural town of Crozet, Va., about 15 miles west of Charlottesville. Paulsen was among 100 Republican lawmakers on the train at the time of the accident. Paulsen says the garbage truck was completely ripped in half.

“Everyone else is pretty much okay, on the train thankfully. But I think our prayers need to be with those who are outside, who are a lot more serious,” Paulsen told CCX News via a phone call.

Representatives Jason Lewis and Tom Emmer were two other Minnesota congressmen aboard the train. Lewis was reportedly being screened for a concussion as the impact of the crash threw train passengers against seats and windows and knocked others walking the aisles off their feet.