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Brightline Train Accidents Prompt NTSB Investigation

MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Saturday that it will launch an investigation into two recent accidents involving Brightline trains, which have resulted in the deaths of three individuals at the same grade crossing along the bullet train’s route between Miami and Orlando.

The accidents occurred on Wednesday and Friday at an intersection along the US-1 corridor in Melbourne, Florida. Since the launch of the 160-mile extension between South Florida and Orlando on September 22, there have been a total of five deaths reported, according to an Associated Press database.

The most recent accident took place on Friday, claiming the lives of driver Lisa Ann Batchelder, 52, and passenger Michael Anthony Degasperi, 54, both residents of Melbourne. On Wednesday, Charles Julian Phillips, 62, tragically lost his life when his vehicle was struck by a train. Additionally, three passengers in Phillips’ vehicle sustained injuries, according to the Melbourne Police.

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey expressed his concerns and spoke about the need for enhanced public safety campaigns to educate riders about the dangers of railroad crossings, especially due to the high speeds at which the Brightline train operates. He urged the public to follow safety precautions and emphasized the importance of not attempting to cross the tracks when the crossing arms are down.

The Brightline trains, easily recognizable by their bright neon yellow color, can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h in certain sections. The journey between Miami and Orlando, which spans 235 miles, takes around 3.5 hours, about 30 minutes less than the average travel time by car.

The NTSB team will be present at the accident site for several days, starting from Saturday. Their objective is to thoroughly investigate the safety issues at the intersection and identify measures that can prevent or mitigate such accidents in the future. NTSB spokeswoman Sarah Taylor Sulick stated that a preliminary report will be released within 30 days, followed by a final report within 12 to 24 months.

While Brightline has not yet responded to requests for comment, the company has installed warning signs near intersections to alert drivers about the fast-moving trains.

This week’s incidents in Melbourne mark the occurrence of at least 108 deaths since the launch of Brightline trains in July 2017. The death rate, which stands at one death for every approximately 38,000 miles traveled, is the highest among the more than 800 rail companies across the United States, according to an analysis conducted by the Associated Press in 2019. In comparison, California commuter line Caltrain has experienced one death per 125,000 miles traveled during the same period among U.S. railroads that cover at least 100,000 train miles annually.

It is important to note that none of the previous deaths associated with Brightline trains were the railroad’s fault. Most of the incidents involved suicides, pedestrians attempting to cross the tracks in front of the train, or drivers trying to circumvent barriers instead of waiting for the train to pass.

In a separate incident on December 19, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a Brightline train in downtown West Palm Beach, just across from the Palm Beach County Courthouse. West Palm Beach police reported that the pedestrian, identified as 69-year-old Gary Millar, was attempting to cross the tracks when he was hit by a northbound train. The crossing arms were down at the time of the accident.

Last month, Brightline announced an expansion of its service between Orlando and Miami, with a total of 32 daily trains, including 16 departures from each city. This represents an increase from the initial eight trains in each direction when the service launched on September 22.

The NTSB investigation aims to shed light on the recent accidents and identify measures to enhance safety along the Brightline train route. As the investigation progresses, it is expected that the findings will contribute to preventing similar incidents in the future, ensuring the safety of both passengers and pedestrians.

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