POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – One person was killed Tuesday morning in a crash involving a vehicle and a Brightline train in Pompano Beach.
The crash was reported in the area of Atlantic Boulevard and North Dixie Highway.
According to a Brightline spokesman, witnesses said the vehicle went around the crossing gates that were already lowered and was struck by the oncoming train.
The train dragged the car several blocks, finally coming to a stop at Dixie Highway and Southwest Second Street.
***Warning: Graphic footage. Viewer discretion advised.***
“It sounded loud -- like if I’m inside the store and I heard it, that means it was pretty bad, because it was really, really loud,” Sam, who works at the nearby Pure Smoke, Vape & CBD store, said.
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue spokeswoman Sandra King said the vehicle caught fire after the crash.
“It was engulfed in fire as the train stopped. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue was able to extinguish that fire,” King said.
She said witnesses reported seeing the driver appear to pause on the railroad tracks.
King said it’s too soon to say why the driver stopped on the tracks.
A view from Sky 10 showed passengers being helped off the train. They were then directed to a nearby bus.
No one on board the train was injured.
Broward Sheriff’s Office traffic homicide detectives are investigating the crash.
Traffic was backed up in the area during the crash investigation.