OAKLAND PARK, FLA. (WSVN) - The Broward Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash after a car collided with a Brightline train.
The crash happened at Cypress Creek Road near Dixie Highway, Tuesday afternoon, in Oakland Park. The car came to a stop in Fort Lauderdale.
“I heard this big bam, OK? It shook the whole building. That’s why we came out here to check it all out,” said a man.
The train pushed the car north.
“Looks like fire, like sparkles, like when you’re doing welding. Like that,” said Rose Saldivar.
It remains unclear what happened in this case, but in many instances, police said, the driver simply tries to beat the train.
“In almost all cases, people are ignoring and circumventing the warning lights, sounds, safety signs and crossing gates,” said BSO Col. Steve Robson.
In Hollywood, a driver was killed. A young father in Pompano Beach also lost his life.
At least 65 people have been killed in the past three years.
BSO and Brightline began a crackdown just days ago, ticketing drivers who ignore the warnings.
“Stopping on the tracks, blocking the tracks, for that is a $205 violation. Driving around, down crossing arms, is a moving violation with a $165 fine,” said BSO Sgt. Todd Michael.
“People should be more aware of what’s going on on the tracks. Pay attention with what’s going on. I mean, life’s life. You only have this one time,” said a man.
“It’s unfortunate and devastating,” said Matt McIsaac. “I mean, the fact that every week there’s another accident, and people still aren’t learning just to obey the traffic signals, it’s kind of astounding.”
Because there has been so many crashes, BSO just started a program where they have deputies patrolling many of these intersections where Brightline comes through due to the crashes, just to try to remind people that you can’t beat the train.
In this case, according to BSO, there was no deputy on the scene.
The female driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity has not yet been released.
The crash is under investigation.
Authorities said that they do not want to give these tickets out, but they feel like it is something they could do to possibly cut down on these crashes and fatalities.
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