Family speaks after woman killed in fiery crash with Brightline train

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – A grieving family shared photographs of the 83-year-old police said died while driving into the path of a Brightline train last week.

The family of Eleanora Mitchell told Rockledge Community Correspondent James Sparvero the senior was on her way to Planet Fitness to work out, as she routinely did, when for unknown reasons, she drove through the railroad crossing arm at US-1 and Eyster Boulevard.

Surveillance from the Central Florida UroGynecology office at the intersection recorded the deadly collision.

[BELOW: Video shows Rockledge driver going through crossing arm before fiery Brightline crash]

Mitchell’s family, along with her close friend, Dorothy Shaw, said the 83-year-old was very mentally and physically fit for her age.

“She was more active than I am,” Shaw said. “She really was.”

Like Mitchell’s family, Shaw also dismissed any theory of suicide.

Sparvero asked police for its investigative report of the crash, which might answer these questions, but records said it’s not available.

Mitchell’s family and Shaw think something medically related may have happened to her.

Shaw said she had no concern about Mitchell’s ability to drive.

“She was in good shape to me,” she said.

Last year, after police said two drivers caused deadly wrecks with Brightline trains in Brevard, the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization talked about putting crossing arms on both sides of traffic lanes at more intersections in the county.

This is a complete list of where those improvements are expected to be made in the next couple of years.

When Sparvero asked the TPO for a new interview following this tragedy, he was told Wednesday the TPO had nothing more to add regarding safety measures but shared five safety tips:

1. Look and listen for a train as you approach all railroad crossings – obey all signs, warning lights and gates.
2. Trains might be quieter and faster than you think – never try to beat a train.
3. Because of their size and weight, it can take a mile or more to stop a train.
4. Always expect a train on any track; avoid distractions when you approach a crossing.
5. Railroad property is private property. Walking on the tracks is illegal and dangerous.

“The things were down, and it was doing what it’s supposed to do,” Shaw said about the crossing arms. “God bless her.”

Along with the surveillance from the doctor’s office at the intersection, the police said they’re also waiting to receive Brightline’s video from onboard the train.