MELBOURNE, Fla. – Authorities released surveillance video Friday showing the horrifying moments an SUV collided with a Brightline train after trying to beat a crossing in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon.
The crash killed the driver of the SUV, who Melbourne police identified as 62-year-old Charles Phillips. Three passengers who were in the SUV were also hurt and transported to a nearby hospital following the crash.
In the video, a car is seen waiting for a Brightline train to pass by on West H Jackson Street in Melbourne. Shortly after, an SUV zips around its left and into the crossing.
“Me and my showroom manager were wondering, ‘What was that?’” witness Jacob Hungerford said.
Hungerford was working at a nearby business when he heard the collision. In the video, he’s seen running outside immediately.
“The car was flipped over on its side,” he said. “There was a lady hanging out the back, covered in blood. They were all saying, ‘Please help me. Please help me.’”
The train was stopped for hours as police investigated.
Thursday, at the site of the crash, there were remnants of what happened the day before, including parts of the SUV.
“Honestly, it’s just a lot of sadness here. A lot of sadness. Makes me want to choke up thinking about it,” Hungerford said.
With Brightline running between Orlando and Miami, more trains are coming through Brevard County. Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey wants drivers to realize that.
“Years ago, we had five or six trains maybe a day, and we’re getting, you know, five, six times that,” he said. “You really have to focus on your safety, your passenger safety and really where your vehicle is. You can’t stop on the tracks.”
Police are still working to learn what caused the SUV to run through the crossing.