POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – A woman on a scooter has died after she was involved in a collision with a Brightline train over the weekend in Pompano Beach, authorities confirmed on Monday.
The crash occurred at 11:19 a.m. Saturday in the area of Copans Road and North Dixie Highway.
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According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the train was heading south when the woman, who was riding a 2020 Sanmen County Yongfu 150 CC scooter, was also heading south on North Dixie Highway, preparing to make a left turn on Copans Road.
BSO spokesman Carey Codd said the driver of the scooter crossed over the railroad tracks, heading east in the westbound lanes, “traveling diagonally towards the eastbound lanes and struck the side of the train.”
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue personnel pronounced the driver of the scooter dead at the scene. The victim’s identity has not yet been released.
“A witness told detectives that the railroad safety arms were in the lowered position and the railroad crossing lights were flashing when the crash occurred,” Codd said in a news release. “Investigators remind pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists to stop, look and listen when crossing railroad tracks.
“When a train is approaching, never go around the lowered safety arms. Do not underestimate the speed of the train. It may be traveling faster and be closer than you think. Even if the train engineer sees you, he or she will not be able to stop in time.”
Two other fatal crashes involving Brightline trains also occurred last week.
At least 67 people have now died in collisions with Brightline trains since 2018.
In light of the alarming figure, a Brightline spokesperson told Local 10 News the company is requesting a federal grant to pay for roughly half of a $45 million project to increase safety measures they believe will help prevent accidents and deaths.
They also encourage drivers to follow these simple rules to prevent accidents such as these:
· Never drive around the gates
· Never try and beat a train
· Be aware that these are active railroad tracks with trains approaching in both directions.