Tri-Rail train dragged car over 1,300 feet in fatal collision, new details reveal
When a Tri-Rail commuter train and Chevrolet SUV collided in Broward County on Wednesday, the crash dragged the vehicle hundreds of feet and killed the driver. Now, investigators have released more details on the crash, including the vehicle speeding under a lowered gate before the impact on the tracks.
Around 10 a.m., Broward sheriff’s deputies rushed to 911 calls reporting a train heading south on the CSX tracks slammed into a 2021 Chevrolet Trax SUV near the 1500 block of West Oakland Park Boulevard.
READ MORE: Tri-Rail train hits car in Oakland Park. One dead, officials say
The SUV driver’s identity hasn’t been released as authorities are trying to inform his family, the sheriff’s office said.
As an investigation into the crash continues, detectives have put together an early picture of what they believe happened.
The man was driving toward the railroad crossing in the far-left lane when he came upon safety crossing arms already down and activated as the train approached. He first partially stopped under the crossing gate, investigators say.
As the train drew closer, the man sped under the gate directly into the Tri-Rail’s path, authorities. The front of the train hit the driver’s side of the SUV “in a ‘T-bone’ type impact,” the sheriff’s office said.
The train pushed the car about 1,300 feet before it came to a stop.
Tri-Rail runs between the Miami International Airport and Mangonia Park in Palm Beach County, with a spur to the Brightline station in downtown Miami. In recent weeks, Tri-Rail has gained thousands of new riders heading to and from Inter Miami soccer games at Nu Stadium.
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)