UFC champ Hughes critically hurt when vehicle struck by train in Hillsboro

Former UFC fighter Matt Hughes was in critical condition Friday after his truck was struck by a train in Montgomery County, according to Illinois State Police.

Hughes, a Hillsboro High School graduate, drove onto the railroad tracks on Beelers Trail, marked by a crossbuck railroad crossing sign, where the moving train slammed into the truck’s passenger side, State Police said. The crash occurred at around 10:45 a.m.

Hughes was flown to a Springfield hospital.

UFC president Dana White confirmed the driver was Hughes, who is a two-time UFC welterweight champion, according to ESPN. White said he had a head injury and that his family was traveling to see him.

This story was originally published June 16, 2017 at 3:09 PM with the headline "UFC champ Hughes critically hurt when vehicle struck by train in Hillsboro."