North Miami, FL - A North Miami Beach driver narrowly escaped serious injury after ignoring crossing gates and driving onto train tracks, resulting in a dramatic collision with a Brightline train on Wednesday.
The crash occurred near Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 165th Terrace, where traffic had come to a stop as the train crossing gates lowered and warning lights flashed.
Surveillance footage captured the alarming moment when a dark-colored car bypassed waiting vehicles, drove through the closed gates, and attempted to cross the tracks.
Within seconds, the speeding Brightline train slammed into the car's rear passenger side, sending it spinning into a nearby crossing pole.
Debris from the impact was scattered across the tracks and roadway.
Aerial footage from Chopper 6 revealed the aftermath of the collision, showing the heavily damaged vehicle partially resting on the tracks and the Brightline train stopped a short distance away.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials, one adult was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
North Miami Beach Police confirmed that the driver had disregarded the lowered gates and flashing warning lights at the crossing.
Following the incident, Brightline shared the crash footage on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a safety reminder "For your safety and ours, never drive around lowered gates. These safety measures are in place to protect everyone, and ignoring them can lead to serious consequences. Stay alert, follow the law, and help keep our communities safe."
Wednesday's incident underscores the importance of adhering to safety protocols at train crossings to prevent potentially life-threatening accidents.