Two More Die By Train In South Florida

One Person Killed In Palm Beach County, Another In Broward.

BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com

BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Two more people have died after being struck by a train in South Florida in the span of just days. One in Palm Beach County, another in Broward County. We’ll start with the Broward County reported provided to BocaNewsNow.com by the Broward Sheriff’s Office:

“At approximately 3:45 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 7, Broward County Regional Communications received a report of a crash involving a train and a pedestrian near the 1500 block of South Dixie Highway in Deerfield Beach. BSO deputies and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded. On scene, emergency crews learned an individual had been struck by a Brightline train. BSO’s Traffic Homicide detectives responded to investigate. 

According to investigators, the adult male pedestrian was walking eastbound while the train was traveling southbound on the east set of tracks. As the train approached the grade crossing, the safety equipment at the crossing activated – the lights and bells turned on and the safety gates lowered. The pedestrian ignored the active safety equipment and walked across the tracks. The pedestrian was then struck by the train. Paramedics pronounced the adult male deceased on scene.  The investigation is ongoing.”

Another person was killed by train in Palm Beach County. We have this report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office:

“A 2001 Mercury Sable (V1) was eastbound, in the inside lane, approaching the railroad tracks in the 1200 block of Northlake Blvd, in the Town of Lake Park. As the railroad signal lights were flashing and safety arms were in the down position preventing traffic from flowing, due to an oncoming train, Duane Mathewson of Robin Way in North Palm Beach (D-1), drove under the arm that was blocking the inside and center lanes. V-1 then drove into the path of the Brightline train, that was currently in motion, southbound on the west set of railroad tracks.

V-1 impacted the side of the first passenger carriage located behind the engine (carriage number 202) underneath the door. V-1 was propelled south west from the area of the collision where it traveled down a loose rock embankment and overturned, coming to a final rest on the roof. D-1 was deceased on scene from injuries sustained in the impact. Next of kin has been notified.“