The vehicle became engulfed in flames and at least 30 people have been injured, a fire department spokesman said.
Police in Oxnard, California, say the crash was first reported at 05:44 local time.
A helicopter from a local television station is showing emergency responders treating multiple people.
Ventura County Fire Department Captain Mike Lindbery said the train was carrying 51 passengers, and 28 of those were transported to several local hospitals.
The driver of the truck that collided with the train fled the scene, and was “taken into custody south of the scene less than a mile,” Capt. Mike Lindbery said.
Aerial footage from the scene shows multiple emergency vehicles at the scene, with several fire fighters and paramedics moving people into ambulances.
One carriage can be seen overturned and laying partially in a nearby highway. Two others were overturned laying parallel to each other, and a fourth remains upright.
In a nearby intersection, the burnt-out shell of a truck can be seen with remnants of fire extinguishing foam.
The train was destined for Los Angeles, and crashed about 65 miles away from its destination.
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