Bobby Abell, 77, killed, after after his tractor-trailer collides with a freight train near White Pigeon in St. Joseph County.

Officials say a 77-year-old driver of a semi-truck from Illinois has died in a collision with a slow-moving freight train in southwestern Michigan. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the driver is identified as Bobby Abell, of Quincy. The St. Joseph County sheriff's department says the crash around 5 p.m. Thursday near White Pigeon caused at least one car on the train to derail and tip, blocking traffic in the area. An autopsy is planned to determine whether Abell had a medical problem that may have led to the crash, which is under investigation. Witnesses told investigators that the semi-truck driven by Abell didn't appear to slow down prior to the collision with the train. An engineer on the train had what were described as minor injuries. Take these important steps after a truck accident in Michigan As the trucking industry grows in Michigan, more and more truck accidents occur. Commercial trucks are common on the roads, and their size, weight, and many blind spots pose significant dangers to other drivers. And when a truck accident occurs, victims often suffer serious, debilitating injuries that require long-term medical care. Fatality truck accidents are common. An experienced Michigan truck accident attorney on your side can hire experts such as engineers and accident re-constructionists to go to the scene to preserve and document evidence. Go here to learn more about the next steps to take after a serious or fatal Michigan semi-truck accident.