Statement Follows PBSO Announcement That It Is Taking Over Investigation.
DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The City of Delray Beach Thursday confirmed the announcement made by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday: PBSO is now investigating the Brightline Train vs. Delray Beach Fire Truck crash. The City of Delray Beach issued this statement:
[OFFICIAL STATEMENT]: The Delray Beach Police Department has requested the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) assume the lead in the ongoing investigation into the collision between a Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck and a Brightline train near E Atlantic Avenue and Railroad Avenue.
“Our Delray Beach investigators are highly skilled and were conducting a comprehensive examination of this incident. However, given the complexity of the crash, the multiple agencies involved, and the need for transparency, I requested the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office assume the lead investigative responsibility,” said Delray Beach Police Chief Russ Mager. “This decision ensures the most thorough and impartial review possible, leveraging PBSO’s expertise in major transportation incidents while eliminating any perception of internal influence. Our commitment is to uncover the full scope of what occurred—fact by fact—so that we can provide the community with clear, accurate answers and uphold the highest standards of investigative integrity.”
At approximately 10:44 a.m. on December 28, 2024, firefighters were driving to a reported high-rise structure fire at 365 SE 6th Ave. Preliminary reports indicate that the fire truck crossed the tracks while the crossing gates were down after a freight train cleared the intersection. A Brightline train, traveling northbound at approximately 79 mph, then struck the rear of the fire truck. Video footage and eyewitness accounts confirm this sequence of events.
Delray Beach Police and Fire Rescue, along with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, responded to multiple 911 calls reporting the crash. Three firefighters—Driver Engineer David Wyatt, Captain Brian Fiorey, and Firefighter Joseph Fiumara III—were on the fire truck and were transported to Delray Medical Center as trauma alerts. Nine Brightline passengers were also transported to area hospitals.
The investigation remains active. Further details may be released upon the conclusion of PBSO’s investigation.
