What to Know
- The incident happened Wednesday at the 100 block on Ocean Avenue.
- Police confirmed that the cyclist was killed.
- This is the second Brightline related death in five days.
The Boynton Beach Police Department said investigators determined that the cyclist killed by a Brightline high-speed train Wednesday pedaled around closed crossing barriers in an attempt to beat the oncoming train.
The BBPD identified the man as 51-year-old Boynton Beach resident Jeffrey D. King. The train hit him Wednesday at the 100 block of Ocean Avenue.
"Investigators have determined that King was traveling westbound on East Ocean Avenue, when he pedaled around the gates, which were down, in an attempt to beat the approaching train," the BBPD said in a statement.
King is the second person killed by a Brightline train in less than one week.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has called on U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to investigate and determine "whether additional actions need to be taken to improve grade-cross safety."
Brightline said it was "active" with authorities in the investigation.
"Brightline has been active in working with the Federal Railroad Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation and elected officials to ensure infrastructure improvements and safety requirements were complied with as prescribed and approved by officials," the company said in a statement. "Brightline continues to reinforce awareness and education. It is critical that the public remains attentive when near any active railroad, always obey the laws and respect the safety devices that are in place to protect the public. Never try to beat a train."
Wednesday’s deadly crash comes just five days after a Brightline train killed a woman in Boynton Beach.
