NORTHEAST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A driver has died after a Brightline train struck an SUV near Aventura.
Video showed a white SUV crumpled against the front of a Brightline train near 200th Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Northeast Miami-Dade, at around 3:30 p.m., Friday.
“It was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Gabriela Freyre, a witness.
Freyre relived the image she said she’ll never forget after witnessing the deadly wreck.
“I just started crying. Called my mom, called my boyfriend,” said Freyre. “I didn’t believe what was happening.”
Freyre said she was heading home near the tracks when she looked up and saw the SUV sitting on the tracks. Before she knew it, the car was struck and dragged hundreds of feet.
“This is horrible,” said Evelyn Harber who lives nearby.
According to Miami-Dade Police, the Brightline train struck the moving SUV. The train hit and dragged the vehicle until eventually coming to a stop.
“That’s sad. I feel sorry for the family,” said Harber. “I have kids, and I drive Ives Dairy [Road] all the time. It’s really scary.”
Investigators said the female driver in the car was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Everybody was just at a standstill,” said Freyre. “Nobody moved. Nobody knew what to do. I was terrified.”
“We waited a long time until they told us to get on the bus,” said Phydias Barboza, who was a passenger on the bus.
Barboza said he was on board the Brightline train, heading to Miami, when he heard the killer crash.
“The wheels scratched like this, you know, just stopped, and we hear that noise,” said Barboza.
As the investigation continues, Freyre said moving on from this train tragedy will be difficult.
That was absolutely the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life,” said Freyre. “Just knowing that whoever that was died right in front of my eyes was absolutely terrifying.”
The scene has since been cleared.
The incident caused heavy traffic in the area. Parts of West Dixie Highway were closed but have since reopened.
Officials have not released the name of the victim.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
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