Two Deadly Brightline Crashes Caused by Drivers Ignoring Lowered Gates: NTSB Report, US

Two deadly accidents involving Brightline trains in Melbourne, Florida, have been attributed to drivers ignoring lowered gates, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Friday. The report provides more details about the incidents, both of which occurred within a span of two days. In the first incident on January 10, an SUV ignored a stopped vehicle and drove around the lowered gate, colliding with the train and resulting in the death of the driver. The three passengers in the SUV sustained serious injuries. The second incident, which took place on January 12, involved a pickup truck that also disregarded the lowered gate and was subsequently struck by a Brightline train. Both the driver and a passenger lost their lives in this accident. The NTSB is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incidents and intends to issue safety recommendations to prevent similar accidents. Brightline, a high-speed rail service, has faced scrutiny in the past following previous accidents. In response to concerns, U.S. Congressman Brian Mast has called for a pause in Brightline’s expansion pending further investigation.