A 68-year-old bicyclist was killed late Tuesday morning after a Brightline passenger train struck him at a busy Stuart-area crossing, snarling traffic and knocking out power for nearby homes and businesses.
The crash happened just before 11:30 a.m. near Southeast Dixie Highway and Southeast Monterey Road in Martin County. Deputies pronounced the cyclist dead at the scene, according to WPBF 25 News, and warned drivers to brace for long delays while investigators worked the site.
Investigation details
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek told WPTV that the victim, a 68-year-old man, “weaved through traffic” before heading toward the railroad tracks from a side that did not have crossing arms. A detective who happened to be nearby tried to get his attention, Budensiek said, but the rider looked the wrong way and rolled straight into the train’s path.
Deputies estimated the Brightline train was moving at roughly 30 to 40 mph when it struck the bicyclist. The impact was fatal on scene.
The collision also cut power in the immediate area, prompting city officials to post advisories urging residents to steer clear while utility crews scrambled to restore electricity and traffic backed up along surrounding streets, according to WPBF 25 News.
Another deadly crash days earlier
The Martin County fatality came on the heels of another deadly Brightline crash over the weekend in West Palm Beach. In that case, investigators said a vehicle hit a Brightline train, killing two people. Crossing gates were already down at the time, and alcohol may have played a role, according to WFLX.
Brightline's safety record under scrutiny
An investigation by the Miami Herald and public radio station WLRN found that since Brightline began test runs, its trains have been involved in at least 182 deaths. Most of those who died were pedestrians or cyclists, the reporting noted, fueling louder calls for better fencing, upgraded crossings, and more funding to limit how easily people can get onto the tracks.
What comes next
Martin County detectives said they will examine whether warning signals, crossing equipment, and any nearby surveillance cameras were working properly as they piece together what happened, according to WPTV. The sheriff’s office has not yet released the cyclist’s name, and the investigation remains active.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has video from the area to contact law enforcement as they continue to reconstruct the final moments before the train hit.
