Orlando SunRail Commuter Train Collides with Vehicle, Injures Driver

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on September 21, 2020

The beginning of the workweek was off to a bumpy start early Monday morning in Orlando when 9-1-1 dispatchers first started to receive calls regarding a SunRail commuter train accident that occurred at Lancaster Road close to South Orange Avenue. According to preliminary collision documents from the Florida Highway Patrol, a motorist was attempting to maneuver a turn with their vehicle when the driver accidentally drove onto the railway and became stuck on the tracks in front of an oncoming train.

It was just another typical daily commute on September 21^st, 2020 in Orlando and the surrounding Orange County areas until approximately 6:10 a.m. when authorities with the Florida Highway Patrol began receiving reports of a train vs. car accident. Lt. Kim Montes, as well as additional troopers with the FHP, indicate that a 55-year-old woman was driving her sedan down Lancaster Road when she tried to make a left-hand turn onto South Orange Avenue. For reasons that are unknown at this time, she then left the roadway and drove her vehicle onto the tracks and into the direct path of a southbound SunRail train. Unfortunately, the conductor was unable to stop the train before crashing into the passenger side of the woman’s vehicle.

There were 30 passengers aboard the commuter train at the time of the accident, although no one sustained any injuries as a result of the collision. Emergency response teams transported the female driver to a local hospital to receive treatment for minor injuries. Although SunRail has yet to release a statement in regards to the collision, it has since announced multiple cancellations and delays including the P301, P303, P305 and P313 lines. The bus bridge was also temporarily shut down.

An investigation is currently underway by authorities with the Florida Highway Patrol and the Orlando Police Department to determine the exact cause behind this collision.

It is unclear at this time whether or not the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, although due to the time of the accident, it is highly improbable. It is also quite possible that the woman suffered from some sort of medical episode which caused her to become confused about her surroundings, or perhaps she was distracted by a cell phone or another electronic device within the vehicle.

Sources:

• SunRail train strikes car after driver mistakenly turns onto tracks in Orange County
• SunRail train crashes into car in south Orange County; 55-year-old driver injured

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.