See video and a timeline of Brightline crashes: How and where did they happen?
The Brightline trains that began zipping visitors and commuters from Miami to West Palm Beach four years ago have been involved in collisions that have ended in deaths and injuries.
A Miami Herald analysis of Federal Railroad Administration data found Brightline was involved with more fatalities per mile traveled than any other major rail operator in the country in the past four years.
Many of the crashes involved drivers ignoring or deliberately passing through lowered railroad safety gates. That is illegal and can be deadly.
Below is a map showing where impact with pedestrians, cyclists and cars involving Brightline trains took place between 2018 and 2022. Click the upper left symbol to find more information on the map.
Timeline for Brightline collisions in 2022
Here is a list of the Miami Herald’s coverage of Brightline collisions in 2022.
June 6: One person killed after Brightline and car collide in Broward
A person was killed after a Brightline train and a car collided in Oakland Park. It is unclear how the crash occurred.
May 31: Pedestrian killed in crash involving Brightline train
A person was killed after being hit by a Brightline train in Pompano Beach. The pedestrian, who was not identified, died at the tracks. The circumstances leading up to their death is not yet known.
May 3: Jeep driver dies after riding on Broward tracks and getting hit by a Brightline train
Maher Soua, 52, was seriously injured after he drove around a lowered safety gate into the path of an oncoming Brightline train in Hollywood. He was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in critical condition for treatment, but later died there.
May 2: Father of four killed after driving pickup truck around train gates, hit by Brightline
Jacob Bresnahan, 27, was killed after he drove his pickup truck on the railroad tracks and was hit by a Brightline train in Pompano Beach. Surveillance video showed him briefly stopping at a safety gate that was down, which means a train is coming, before driving around and being hit.
He left behind a fiancee, an expected baby to be born in September, a 3-year-old, 2-year-old, 8-year-old and 10-year-old.
April 20: Car hit by Brightline train after driver goes around gates
A driver who went around lowered railroad gates was hit by a Brightline train in Oakland Park. The driver was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
April 16: Person who didn’t get off the tracks in Miami hit by a Brightline train
A person was hit by a Brightline train near Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. News reports say the pedestrian was a teenage boy playing on the tracks. He was in serious condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
April 4: Car drives past a safety arm as it collides with Brightline train
A person bypassed a railroad safety arm and went against traffic as the car collided with a Brightline train in Aventura. The unidentified driver was seriously hurt and taken to Aventura Hospital.
March 18: Brightline train hits pickup illegally crossing onto tracks
A pickup truck went through lowered railroad safety gates and was struck by a Brightline train near Hallandale Beach. The person was taken to Aventura Hospital.
Feb. 16: Driver wheels around gate arms, gets smashed by Brightline train
A Miami Gardens driver went around several stopped cars and the safety gate arms, right into the path of a Brightline train in Lake Worth Beach. The car was smashed in two and the driver was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Feb. 15: Mother leaves car on train tracks, takes baby. Brightline train plows into car
A mother’s car got stuck on the train tracks in Delray Beach. She abandoned her car, took her baby and left the tracks. An oncoming Brightline train hit the car.
Feb. 13: Man dies after going around gate arms and being hit by Brightline train
A man died after he drove his Ford Fusion around railroad safety arms, in the 1200 block of 17th Avenue in Lake Worth Beach, and was struck by a Brightline train.
Jan. 27: Man tries to cross railroad tracks, gets hit and dies from Brightline train
In Hollywood, a man died after he tried crossing railroad tracks, but was hit by an oncoming Brightline train. At the time, it was unclear what led up to the crash.
Jan. 13: Car crosses railroad tracks and is struck by Brightline train. Driver, passenger hospitalized
A car was driving across the train tracks in Miami when the crossing arms started to come down. The driver couldn’t reverse before the arms went fully down. An elderly man got out of the car, but the driver, in her late 20s, and another elderly passenger were inside when the Brightline train struck them. The driver and passenger were sent to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Jan. 3: Brother and sister die after driving past gate arms, struck by Brightline train
A 68-year-old man and his sister, whom he was driving to work, were killed in Aventura after he drove past the down safety gates and the car was struck by a Brightline train.
Keeping safe around railroad crossings
Here are important safety tips:
▪ The train you see is closer and faster-moving than you think.
▪ Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly.
▪ Never drive around lowered gates — it’s illegal and deadly.
▪ Do not get trapped on the tracks; go through a railroad crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear it without stopping.
▪ If your car stalls on the tracks, get out and get away from the tracks, even if you do not see a train. Find the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number, telling them about your stalled car. Or call 911.
▪ At multi-track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
▪ Pedestrians who need to cross train tracks should go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping.
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)