Florida High-Speed Train Headed to Orlando Fatally Strikes Pedestrian

Florida High-Speed Train Headed to Orlando Fatally Strikes Pedestrian
A Brightline passenger train passes by in Oakland Park, Fla., on Nov. 27, 2019. Brynn Anderson/AP Photo
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FORT PIERCE, Fla.—Florida’s high-speed passenger train service suffered the first fatality on its new extension to Orlando on Thursday when a pedestrian was struck in what appears to be a suicide, officials said. Overall, it was Brightline’s 99th death since it began operations six years ago.

A northbound Brightline train headed to Orlando struck the 25-year-old man shortly before 9 a.m. near the Atlantic Coast city of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said at a news conference. He said the man was homeless and appeared to have intentionally stepped in front of the train.