Scooter rider becomes 200th person killed in collision with Brightline train

The high-speed rail has struck and killed at least 200 people in Florida since 2017.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A scooter driver was killed after colliding with a Brightline train early Thursday afternoon in Pompano Beach, Florida, marking the 200th confirmed death involving the high-speed rail that connects Miami to Orlando. The Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating the circumstances of the crash, which are still unclear.

Why it matters

Brightline trains have struck and killed at least 200 people in Florida since beginning test runs in 2017, with the vast majority being pedestrians or bike riders. This latest incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the high-speed rail system and the need for improved safety measures to protect the public.

The details

Around 12:50 p.m., a 911 caller told dispatchers there was a crash involving a Brightline train near East Copans Road and North Dixie Highway in Pompano Beach. Deputies learned the train collided with a scooter, and the scooter's driver, whose name has yet to be released, was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.

  • The crash occurred around 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Brightline began test runs in 2017.

The players

Brightline

A high-speed rail system that connects Miami to Orlando, Florida.

Broward Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating the circumstances of the crash.

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What they’re saying

“The passengers on the train are 'OK' and uninjured.”

— Pompano Beach city official (Miami Herald)

What’s next

The Broward Sheriff's Office traffic-homicide unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

The takeaway

This latest fatal collision with a Brightline train highlights the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the high-speed rail system and the need for improved safety measures to protect the public, especially pedestrians and cyclists, along the rail corridor.