Brightline Train Slams Into Car After Florida Driver Ignores Lowered Crossing Gates
A driver disregards lowered gates at a North Miami railroad crossing and ends up in a terrifying collision with a Brightline train. đ #News #MiamiFL #Florida #Accident
MIAMI, FL – A Brightline train in North Miami, Florida struck a car on Wednesday after the driver blatantly ignored lowered crossing gates and flashing red lights, marking another incident in a series of similar crashes. The crash, which took place just over a week after a fire truck was hit by a train, is raising serious concerns over safety at railroad crossings.
Incident Overview
The collision occurred on January 9, 2025, near Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 165th Terrace in North Miami, FL. A video shared by Brightline shows the driver of the car bypassing the lowered gates at the crossing. As the car drove around the barriers, it was immediately struck by the fast-moving train.
Local reports confirm that the driver was taken to the hospital following the crash. The train stopped on the tracks, and crews began assessing the damage. While the exact nature of the driver’s injuries has not been disclosed, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks of bypassing safety barriers at crossings.
Brightline’s Response
Brightline, which operates high-speed trains between Miami and Orlando, responded to the incident by sharing the video footage on social media.
Alongside the video, they posted a message stressing the importance of adhering to safety measures at crossings: “For your safety and ours, never drive around lowered gates. These safety measures are in place to protect everyone, and ignoring them can lead to serious consequences.”
Brightlineâs statement continued, urging the public to stay alert, follow the law, and help keep communities safe. The train operator is actively working to raise awareness about the dangers of ignoring crossing gates and encourages drivers to be vigilant.
Previous Similar Incident
This latest crash follows closely on the heels of another involving Brightline trains.
On December 28, 2024, a Delray Beach Fire Rescue ladder truck was struck by a train after the driver drove around lowered crossing gates. That incident, which injured three firefighters and 12 passengers, is still under investigation by local authorities.
Brightline emphasized in a statement at the time, “Railroad safety is a community-wide effort. For everyoneâs safety, never drive around crossing gates when they are down.”
RELATED TOPICS: Accidents | Florida
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