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Amtrak Sues Nevada Truck Firm Over Fatal Crash

RENO (CBS/AP) - Amtrak is suing a Nevada trucking company for negligence in the hiring of a driver who drove a semi-trailer truck into the side of a passenger train last week in a fiery crash that killed six and injured more than 20.

Lawyers for the National Railroad Passenger Corp. filed the lawsuit in federal court in Reno late Wednesday against the John Davis Trucking Co., Battle Mountain.

The driver, a conductor and four others on the California-bound Zephyr died in Friday's crash. The suit says Amtrak suffered at least $10 million in damages. It says the trucking company failed to train the driver properly and is liable for his negligent acts.

An Amtrak attendant hurt in the crash also is suing the firm.

Company officials have had no comment.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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