Elderly Man Hospitalized After Vehicle Collides with Brightline Train in North Miami

An incident in North Miami has left one man hospitalized after his vehicle was struck by a Brightline train yesterday afternoon. The collision occurred near Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 141st Street, as Miami-Dade Fire Rescue teams were called to the scene shortly before 4 p.m., WSVN reports.

The vehicle, after being hit, ended up near the train tracks with significant damage. The driver was found by first responders in the backseat, and soon after, airlifted to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital for treatment. Witnesses at the scene described the driver as an elderly male, although his identity has not been disclosed; his condition remains uncertain, Local 10 News confirmed.

Aerial footage obtained shortly before 4:30 p.m. showed the aftermath of the incident, including the severely crushed car. Gabriel Torres, a witness, recounted hearing screams: "I know that I heard someone screaming and then when I saw the guy in the car, he was still moving," he told Local 10 News. "And then I heard a girl, a lady screaming."

The collision also resulted in the destruction of the railroad crossing arm at the intersection. Despite the accident, Brightline service has not been fully interrupted, though trains are proceeding with more caution, reducing their speed in both directions around the crash site. The train implicated in the crash was able to halt roughly 500 feet from where the vehicle was struck, indicating that the driver, who was the sole casualty, may have been moments too late, or early, in crossing. According to authorities, the specifics that led to this unfortunate event are still under investigation.