An ABC11 crew at the scene said the incident seemed to begin with a rear-end collision involving two vehicles, which pushed one car onto the tracks.
The driver of the vehicle was able to get out just moments before the car was smashed by the train.
There appeared to be some minor injuries from the initial wreck.
An Amtrak spokesperson said Train 76, the Piedmont, which operates from Charlotte to Raleigh, struck a vehicle about 8:30 p.m.
Raw video: Train strikes car in Durham
There are no injuries to the passengers or crew of the train.
The road is expected to be closed for several hours. The road remained closed as midnight approached.
The incident remains under investigation.