Is Brightline safe? How many people have been killed in train crashes? Here's what to know
As Brightline pushes forward with plans to expand its service, concerns about the train's safety measures continue to linger. With the announcement of a new stop in Cocoa, which could be years away, the train service has faced increased scrutiny in recent months.
The addition of the Cocoa stop comes amidst mounting pressure on Brightline to address safety concerns following a series of accidents involving the Brightline trains. The incidents, which occurred in Melbourne, Rockledge and Micco, resulted after vehicles or pedestrians entered the train tracks as the high-speed train approached.
As a result, the company enhanced safety measures at crossings as well as launched public education campaigns.
How many fatal Brightline train accidents have occurred?
As of May 16, seven people in Brevard have been killed in train-related incidents with six of the deaths involving Brightline.
On Oct. 19, 2023, a 60-year-old woman was struck and killed by a Brightline train near Aurora Road and Cypress Avenue in Melbourne. Lisa Marie Molnar was found near the tracks where she had been walking leading up to her death.
On Dec. 24, 2023, a 36-year-old woman, another pedestrian, was killed in Melbourne in a collision with a Brightline train. Identified as Katherine Stimus, the woman was killed a short distance from where the Oct. 19 collision occurred.
On Jan. 11, 2024, a 62-year-old man was killed in a collision involving a Brightline train in Melbourne. The man, Charles Julian Phillips, reportedly drove an SUV onto the tracks in an attempt to go around the lowered barrier arms. Three other passengers in the SUV were transported to the hospital with serious injuries at the time.
On Jan. 12, 2024, two people were killed along the same corridor along U.S. Highway 1 in Melbourne in a separate incident. They were in a truck at the time and officials reported that the vehicle had attempted to bypass the barrier arms that had been lowered in advance of the oncoming train. 52-year-old driver Lisa Ann Batchelder and her 54-year-old passenger, Michael Degasperi were both killed.
On Feb. 8, 2024, a 34-year-old Indialantic man was killed when he was struck by a Brightline train at the Fee Avenue crossing. Witnesses at the time told police that the man, Mark L. Segretto, had lain down on the tracks and waited as the southbound passenger train approached.
On April 18, 2024, an adult male was killed when he was struck by a Brightline train at the Barefoot Bay and Ron Beatty train crossing. The pedestrian was reported dead at the scene.
On May 14, 2024, an adult female was killed when she was struck by a Brightline train at Ansin Road near Rockledge. No details had been released in the case.
How many people have been killed by trains in Florida?
Since 2017, at least 370 people in Florida have been killed by trains belonging to 13 different companies, according to a TCPalm analysis in 2023. Of those, 97 were killed by Brightline trains.
About half the cases involved people walking or running on or along the tracks, records show. Several were documented as suicides, a statistic TCPalm excavated from the “narrative” category of the FRA casualty database. The standard Railroad Injury and Illness Summary form doesn’t include a dedicated category for suicides, leading some rail safety experts to conclude suicides by train are undercounted.
Brightline taking safety measures
Following the recent series of fatal accidents involving Brightline trains, the company has taken steps to enhance safety measures at crossings along its service route. Some of the measures include the installation of exit gates and increased safety outreach efforts.
Brightline has also secured a $25 million federal grant to improve safety measures in response to these incidents. The company's executives are expanding safety initiatives, with a focus on public education and awareness to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Additionally, Brightline has been working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to implement a $45 million plan aimed at eliminating train-crossing deaths.
How to stay safe around Brightline trains
The most important thing is to be attentive when approaching a railroad. Brightline trains are much quieter than freight trains and other passenger trains, and they move much faster, meaning it's important to be extra cautious near the tracks.
Brightline has a list of safety tips for being safe around their high-speed trains, mostly suggesting alertness around the tracks. The Federal Railroad Administration distributed safety pamphlets that included the following tips:
At railroad crossings, slow down and approach with care.
Listen carefully for trains.
Look both ways, bending forward to see around obstructions.
Be aware of your surroundings and prepare to stop.
Do not enter a crossing unless you can drive completely through it without stopping.
Keep driving through the crossing even if the lights flash and the gates come down.
Leave at least 6 feet between your vehicle and the rails because trains are wider than the tracks.
Keep a cell phone on hand for emergencies.
What to do if your vehicle stalls on the tracks
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks:
Get out immediately.
Walk toward the oncoming train and move away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle. If a train hits your vehicle, the debris will move in the same direction as the train.
Call 911 or the emergency phone number posted on the blue signs at crossings.
Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County watchdog reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or [email protected].
TCPalm reporter Lindsey Leake contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brightline train safety in Florida: What to know about fatal accidents