ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – An 83-year-old woman was killed Friday when a Brightline train collided with a vehicle in Rockledge, according to police.
The crash happened around 12:27 p.m. in the area of Eyster Boulevard and U.S. 1, police said.
Rockledge police on Monday identified the victim as Eleanora Mitchell.
According to police, the train was heading south while the vehicle was traveling east when the collision occurred.
In a statement, Brightline said it cannot speak to this specific incident but shared safety tips.
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“Drivers should never drive around the safety gates when they are lowered. This behavior is not only dangerous and reckless, but it’s illegal. Drivers need to treat railroad signs no differently than they would a stop sign or red light,” the statement said.
In addition, Brightline said drivers should:
- Cross only where there are crossing signs
- Never cross tracks when a train is moving
- Never trespass on tracks. It’s against the law
- Never chase the train
- Never ever try to outrun a train
- Never walk or bike along train tracks
- Never wear headphones or earbuds around train tracks
- Stay behind the yellow line on train station platforms
- Always look both ways before crossing tracks
An investigation is ongoing.