MELBOURNE, Fla. – The drivers in separate fatal collisions with Brightline trains in Melbourne drove around the lowered rail crossing gates before the collisions, and in one case even drove around another vehicle to get to the tracks before the crash, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The report, released Thursday, provides details regarding the two crashes at the same Melbourne rail crossing, in January, in incidents that were two days apart.
Recommended Videos
The NTSB is investigating the Jan. 12 incident at the crossing near WH Jackson Street and South Harbor City Boulevard. The report says a Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck drove around the rail crossing gates, which had already been lowered with flashing lights and bells on, as a southbound Brightline train was coming through. The report says the train, which was traveling at 78 mph, struck the truck. The driver and passenger both died.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
The incident happened two days after a similar collision at the same crossing on Jan. 10. The NTSB report says in that case, a Honda Element SUV approached the crossing, drove around a vehicle that was stopped at the stop line, then drove around the lowered rail crossing gate.
The SUV struck the lead car on the northbound Brightline train, which was traveling at 68 mph. The driver of the SUV died and the three passengers were seriously hurt.
The NTSB is investigating the Jan. 12 crash to make safety recommendations for the future.
In the meantime, the city of Melbourne and Brightline are trying to prevent similar actions at this crossing and others in the city. Last month, safety poles and cameras were installed at the crossing. The city and Brightline are also working on grants to fund quad gates to better block the rail crossings.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: