miguel al maguire is there for us. >> reporter: lester good evening. the commute into los angeles turned into a fireball on the rails. tonight, wreckage is strewn all over the rails behind me. federal investigators are en route here. they say it's incredible no one was killed. the fiery moment just after impact sent panicked passengers scrambling for their lives. >> bam! boom! >> reporter: jolting them on the train. >> definitely thought we could die. >> reporter: investigators say a produce driver drove his truck onto the rails just before 6:00 a.m. the metro link train with 51 aboard plowed right into it. all five cars derailed three tossed on their sides. >> that thing was literally obliterated. >> reporter: three are in critical condition. >> orthopedic injuries spine fractures, rib fractures. the type of injuries you would expect from a major trauma incident. >> reporter: the rear of the train can reach a max speed of 79 miles per hour spotted the truck in the crossing applying the emergency brakes early, slowing before the explosive impact. metro