Man killed by Brightline train in Delray Beach — and it’s the sixth death this year
A man died after being hit by a Brightline train Sunday in Delray Beach, according to police.
The crash happened at 12:47 p.m. on the northbound tracks, about 100 feet south of the Southeast Fourth Street crossing, Delray Beach police confirmed.
The pedestrian died immediately from the impact, police said.
A Brightline spokesman said the death was a suicide.
"From initial information gathered it appears today’s incident was a suicide. Brightline continues working with the local authorities," the company said in a statement on Sunday.
The private rail line, which debuted in South Florida in early January, has now been involved in five fatalities and two non-fatal accidents since it began testing the train in 2017.
In the previous incidents, a pedestrian or bicyclist has either attempted to cross the train tracks when a train was approaching or stood on the tracks, police said. The most recent case before Sunday’s came on Jan. 19, when a man was injured crossing the tracks in Fort Lauderdale.
The train has not yet begun service in Miami-Dade, but track work and signal testing is underway.
At 12:47 p.m. a northbound Brightline train struck a pedestrian approximately 100 feet south of the Southeast 4th Street crossing. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene by DBPD. Any witnesses are urged to call DBPD Det. Joseph Hart 243-7800.
— Delray Beach Police (@DelrayBeachPD) April 8, 2018
Any witnesses are urged to call Delray Beach Detective Joseph Hart at 561-243-7800.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published April 8, 2018 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Man killed by Brightline train in Delray Beach — and it’s the sixth death this year."