RSSPolice Cruiser Destroyed by Orlando CSX Train
A poor parking decision resulted in a police cruiser being run over by a downtown Orlando CSX train on Friday Night. According to the Orlando Police Department, the cruiser was empty at the time of the incident, which happened close to 10:30 in the evening. The officer assigned to the cruiser apparently parked his vehicle close to where the tracks cross West Washington street and then exited the car so as to patrol the area on foot.
The reason for this is that in downtown Orlando that night there was an event taking place, and the officer in the vehicle wished to walk around the area and ensure that all participants in the event were safe. Unfortunately, he did not pay enough attention to his parking selection, which resulted in the cruiser being a little too close to the tracks. As a result, when the CSX train began its run through the area, it struck the cruiser.
The CSX is a freight train, so there were no passengers aboard to be injured during the incident. It is not known whether or not the driver of the train suffered from any injuries (serious or otherwise), however it is likely that if it were the case that the engineer had been injured in this incident that the report filed by the Orlando Police Department would have included a reference to this fact.
As it currently stands, no one was injured during the incident (including the driver of the cruiser, who, as we have already mentioned, was out patrolling the area on foot when his car was struck by the freight train). This is highly fortunate as a car, when impacted by a train, can easily send numerous pieces of debris and sharp strips of metal hurtling through the air, potentially injuring anyone in the area.
Traffic accidents involving trains very often lead to more disastrous results than the one described above. Had the officer been in the cruiser at the time of impact, it is entirely possible that he would have suffered tremendous bodily injury, perhaps worse.
It is not clear whether or not any investigation into the event is ongoing.
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.