Second Melbourne Train Crash Follows Fatal Collision
- There was a fatal train and vehicle crash at a crossing in Melbourne, where two people were killed, the driver and a passenger of the vehicle, identified as Michael Degasperi, 54, and Lisa Batchelder, 52. The crash occurred on Friday afternoon at W. H. Jackson and U.S. 1, the same location where a similar fatal incident took place just days earlier.
- The vehicle was hit by a Brightline train and dragged around 300 yards, as seen in security camera footage. Brightline officials and Melbourne police were at the scene investigating the incident. The Melbourne Mayor, Paul Alfrey, stressed the importance of observing traffic laws and safety precautions at train crossings.
- This is the second time a fatality occurred at this crossing in a week, as a previous collision between a Brightline train and a vehicle resulted in one death and three injuries. The recurring incidents have raised safety concerns among local residents, and Mayor Alfrey has been in discussions with Brightline officials about increasing public awareness and possibly enhancing the crossing gates.
Investigation Underway for Melbourne Train and Vehicle Collision
Authorities in Melbourne are investigating a fatal Brightline train and vehicle crash that happened at the same crossing where a person died recently. The crash occurred Friday afternoon near W.H. Jackson and U.S. 1, leaving two people dead. Victims were identified as Michael Degasperi, 54, and Lisa Batchelder, 52.
The train dragged the heavily damaged vehicle approximately 300 yards. Brightline officials and Melbourne police crime scene investigators were present at the scene. Security camera footage confirmed that the vehicle received a direct hit from the train. The police were alerted at 12:51 p.m.
Importance of Safety at Brightline Crossings
Safety precautions at Brightline crossings were highlighted by Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey. “We must understand that Brightline’s safety measures exist for a reason. Bypassing them is not only a traffic violation but also jeopardizes your safety,” he said.
Community Concerns Following the Train Collision
The same location was a scene of another fatal accident involving a Brightline train and a vehicle on Wednesday afternoon that resulted in one death and three injuries. Local resident, Sabrina Cloud, who crosses the tracks daily, expressed her concerns. She said, “It’s definitely been more of a cautious thing on my mind here lately, especially having kids; it’s really been scary.”
Mayor Alfrey communicated with Brightline officials discussing potential solutions, including increasing public awareness and enhancing security measures at the crossings.
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- Deadly collision of Brightline train, SUV in Central Florida
- 2 dead in Brightline train crash days after deadly collision at same Melbourne crossing
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