This information is preliminary and subject to change.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, about 8:00 p.m. eastern standard time, a Nissan Rogue sport utility vehicle (SUV) occupied by a driver and one passenger was traveling south on Old Dixie Highway in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida. According to preliminary evidence, the SUV turned right onto Lindell Boulevard (westbound) and approached a railroad grade crossing, consisting of two main tracks, just west of the intersection of Old Dixie Highway and Lindell Boulevard. The SUV drove past the crossing’s white stop line and stopped with its front tires on the near-side rail of the east main track. A northbound Florida East Coast Railway freight train approached the Lindell Boulevard grade crossing, which activated the crossing’s flashing lights and gates. As the northbound freight train cleared the crossing, at about 8:08 p.m. a Brightline intercity passenger train approached the grade crossing, traveling south. Upon learning of a vehicle on the tracks, the train crew blew the horn and put the train into emergency braking. The southbound passenger train entered the grade crossing and struck the stopped SUV. The two SUV occupants died from injuries sustained in the crash.
At the grade crossing crash location, Lindell Boulevard is a divided roadway with three lanes and a posted speed limit of 25 mph for highway vehicles. The grade crossing is signalized with lights, crossbucks, and gates. (See figure)
Parties to the NTSB investigation include the following:
- Federal Railroad Administration
- Palm Beach County
- Delray Beach Police Department
- City of Delray Beach
- Florida East Coast Railway
- Brightline
All aspects of the crash remain under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar events. Future investigative activity will focus on factors which influenced the SUV driver’s performance in this crash, the timing and manner in which the grade crossing signal preempts highway signaling in the vicinity of the crash, grade crossing design, and train operations at grade crossings.
