Brightline train strikes man in Fort Lauderdale

Man taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ A Brightline train struck a man who was trying to cross the railroad tracks Friday night in Fort Lauderdale, police said.Ā 

The collision occurred about 8 p.m. on the Florida East Coast Railway tracks near Northeast Third Avenue and North Flagler Drive.

Detective Tracy FigoneĀ said the crossing gates were down and the lights were flashing as the pedestrian attempted to cross the tracks.

The man was taken to Broward Health Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

BrightlineĀ trains have already been involved in four deaths, including two in the past week.Ā 

A northbound Brightline train struck and killed Jeffrey King, 51, on Wednesday in Boynton Beach.

Melissa Lavell, 32, was struck and killed by a BrightlineĀ train on Jan. 5 in Boynton Beach.

A Brightline train struck and killed a 35-year-old woman Nov. 1 in Deerfield Beach and an 18-year-old woman July 26 in Boca Raton.Ā 

BrightlineĀ released a statement late Friday night stressing that safety was the company's top priority.Ā Ā 

"Incidents like these can be avoided and train warnings need to be treated exactly like red lights, stop signs and crosswalks," the statement said.

Brightline recently began operating its introductory service between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The high-speed train system will eventually connect Miami to Orlando.


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

Louis Aguirre is an Emmy-award winning journalist who anchors weekday newscasts and serves as WPLG Local 10ā€™s Environmental Advocate.