RSSOrange County SunRail Train Collides with Ford Trapped on Tracks
It was shortly after 9:00 on the night of Friday, August 2nd, that an individual was driving a 2019 Ford along Orange Avenue, close to the intersection of this road with Oak Ridge Road. This area, as many readers may be aware, is also close to to a SunRail line, and at a certain point the tracks even cross over the street. Because of this, there are the requisite crossing signs and signals which greatly aid in the prevention of incidents between the trains and pedestrians and/or cars, but at times there are incidents that render these signs and signals obsolete or useless.
Such was the case on Friday night when the driver of the Ford attempted to cross the tracks only to have their car become stuck before the crossing was complete. It is not exactly clear what happened as the tracks are designed to ensure that cars are able to cross over them without difficulty, but nevertheless it appears that the Ford being driven at this particular time was in a unique situation. Perhaps there was a problem with the vehicle, or perhaps there was a problem with the crossing. Either way, the driver stated that the car became stuck and was not able to be freed by the time that a SunRail train approached the intersection.
It is believed that the driver of the Ford was the only person inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. When they saw the train approaching, they realized that they were not going to be able to both free their car and escape, so they opened the driver side door and fled from the vehicle. The train then collided with the car.
It is not clear how many passengers were aboard the train at the time of the crash, but it appears that the force with which the train struck the car was not so severe that anyone within the large locomotive was injured. The driver of the car also managed to escape the entire incident without suffering from any injuries.
The incident remains under investigation as officers with the Orange County Police Department attempt to figure out just what happened to cause the car to become stuck on the tracks.
Sources:
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.