Brightline Train Collides With Car
A serious crash involving a Brightline train and a passenger vehicle left one person hospitalized on Tuesday afternoon in Pompano Beach, prompting an emergency response and an ongoing investigation by local authorities.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said they received a 911 call at approximately 3:50 p.m. reporting a collision between a Brightline train and a car on the tracks near West Atlantic Boulevard and North Dixie Highway. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies and emergency medical personnel found a heavily damaged vehicle resting near the tracks with its front end completely crushed. The driver, who has not yet been publicly identified, was trapped inside the car and had to be extricated by first responders.
Paramedics rushed the driver to a nearby hospital with injuries described as serious. Officials have not provided an update on the individual’s current condition, but the injuries were considered life-threatening at the time of transport.
According to initial reports, the Brightline train was traveling northbound when it struck the vehicle at the railroad crossing. It remains unclear whether the car was attempting to cross the tracks, became stuck, or ignored a warning signal. Several witnesses nearby told reporters that they heard the sound of the train’s horn moments before a loud impact shook the area.
“I was standing outside and heard the horn going nonstop, then a loud bang. We ran over and saw the car smashed. It was terrifying,” said Daniel Robles, a nearby store employee who witnessed the aftermath.
Brightline officials confirmed the train was operating at the time of the crash but did not release further details pending the investigation. The company stated it is fully cooperating with local law enforcement and emergency services.
Train service along the Brightline route was temporarily halted following the crash. Passengers on board the train were not injured and were transferred to buses to complete their journeys.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of accidents involving Brightline trains, which have been under increased scrutiny due to the frequency of collisions since the service resumed operations in South Florida. Although many of the incidents have been ruled as the result of driver error or pedestrian negligence, community members have expressed concern over the need for enhanced safety measures at crossings.
The area where the collision occurred is a busy corridor in central Pompano Beach, with multiple railroad crossings and high vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Residents in the area said the crossing where the accident happened has been a longstanding safety concern, particularly during rush hour.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is leading the investigation, which will include reviewing surveillance footage, analyzing the functionality of the crossing’s warning systems, and interviewing witnesses.
Authorities are reminding the public to always obey railroad crossing signals and never attempt to drive around lowered crossing gates. Brightline trains can travel at speeds up to 125 mph and may not be able to stop in time if a vehicle or person is on the tracks.
Further updates will be provided as investigators gather more information and determine the circumstances that led to the crash.
