In a sobering incident in Volusia County, a pair of siblings met with a tragic end last night. Oscar Cardenas, 32, and Jehu B. Cardenas, 20, were killed when their vehicle was struck by a train as they attempted to navigate a railroad crossing. WFTV reported that the brothers were driving eastbound on W. Washington Avenue from County Road 3 in Pierson and went around the railroad barrier as a train approached. Despite the activation of the railroad arm bars and the flashing lights, meant as a warning to stop, the car continued onto the tracks and was hit by the train.
Local law enforcement confirmed that the safety mechanisms at the crossing were operational at the time of the tragedy. "Investigators said the railroad arm bars and the lights were active and working," as stated in the WFTV account. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences in a statement, "The Volusia Sheriff’s Office sends our condolences to the family following this tragedy," - an acknowledgment of the irreparable loss suffered by the Cardenas family.
Further details were shared by WESH, noting that the victims were traveling in a four-door Chevrolet during the incident. The vehicle, with Oscar Cardenas behind the wheel and Jehu B. Cardenas as a passenger, was making its way eastbound when it neared the ill-fated crossing. Once again emphasizing the unfortunate decisions that led to this eventuality, Deputy's corroborated earlier reports that the barriers were indeed bypassed by the vehicle.
