OAKLAND PARK, FLA. (WSVN) - The driver of a Maserati has died after trying to beat a Brightline train in Oakland Park.
The fatal crash occurred at around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at the intersection of Northwest 34th Court and Dixie Highway.
7 Skyforce flew over the aftermath of a fatal collision, where Oakland Park Fire Rescue sprayed down the scene.
Krystyna Morejon was sitting in her car waiting on the train when she saw everything.
“So the car was coming right where that police car is; that’s where the car was coming,” Morejon said. “Then the train, he was trying to beat the train, the barricades were going halfway down, and then the train and him collided.”
Both the car and the front of the train caught fire as the train continued traveling north several blocks with part of the car wedged underneath.
“I saw what I believe was the smoke from either the car on fire or the brakes from the train,” said George Giourgas who arrived after the crash.
People who live and work in the area expressed their heartbreak having witnessed an incident like this one, again.
“It’s just unbelievable why people keep trying to beat the trains,” Robert Reitano said. “They’ve got double railroad drops in order to keep oncoming traffic from using the other lane, and they still race them.”
“Really, definitely be more cautious. You know, things like this can happen. It’s a wake up call,” said Morejon. “Very scary and my heart goes out to family and friends of him.”
None of the passengers were injured. However, the conductor was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
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