Latest Brightline Death In Palm Beach County. Man Allegedly Drove Around Active Warning Gates, Lights.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Darwinisim is alive and well in Palm Beach County, but 70-year-old Charles Lasala is not. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office tells BocaNewsNow.com that Lasala drove in front of an oncoming Brightline train mid-day Thursday and died.
According to an initial incident report obtained by BocaNewsNow.com, “Lasala, in a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, was traveling eastbound on West Pine Street in Lantana, approaching the railroad crossing at Dixie Highway. Lasala disregarded the flashing lights and safety arms of the railroad crossing and drove his vehicle onto the railroad tracks of the Brightline train, which was traveling northbound.
The front of the Brightline train struck the passenger side of the Santa Fe. The vehicle was redirected in a northwest direction wher it struck a safety signal pole and came to its final rest. Just prior to impact, Lasala reversed the vehicle while on the tracks. Lasala was pronounced deceased on the scene.”
Lasala lived in the 1400 block of South Dixie Highway in Lantana. Police say next of kin has been notified of Lasala’s death.
