While this train is fast, sleek, and designed to bring a new era of high-speed travel to Florida, it’s earned a grim nickname that no company would ever want.
The Brightline train, which connects Miami and Orlando, was launched to great fanfare in 2017, promising quick and convenient travel through the Sunshine State of Florida.
But in the years since, its name has become linked to a far darker reputation; it has left families grieving, conductors traumatized, and investigators asking tough questions.
According to a joint investigation by the Miami Herald and WLRN Public Radio, the high-speed Brightline has been involved in over 180 deaths in just eight years, making it the deadliest train line in the United States.
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Records show that, on average, someone is killed by a Brightline train every 13 days.
Inside Edition special correspondent Brooke Baldwin reported the troubling pattern, calling it 'the most treacherous train in the nation'.
Her report revealed that collisions happen not just with cars at crossings, but also with pedestrians walking along the tracks, many of whom reportedly never saw or heard the train coming until it was too late.
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Former Brightline conductor Darren Brown said the emotional toll has stayed with him long after leaving the job.
He said: "The six years I’ve had 16 fatalities," explaining that more fencing and barriers could make a real difference.
"There just needs to be more fencing in more congested areas."
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Families of victims also spoke out about the dangers of the rail line, saying their loved ones were struck in unfenced sections where there were no clear warnings.
Maria Furtado, whose niece Joann DePina was killed after entering an unfenced portion of the track, said simply: "There’s nothing to stop them from walking by there."
Others, like Angela Duncan Smith, lost family in similar circumstances, while Dan Johansen shared how his deaf brother Randy was hit at a crossing - even though the gates were down.
Attorney Todd Baker, who represents several grieving families, believes the company could be doing more to prevent these tragedies.
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He said: "They can put in fencing. They can put in active message signs. You can make it mistake-proof, and if you make it mistake-proof, no one’s dying."
In a statement to UNILAD, Brightline said: "Over three months, dozens of discussions and in-person meetings, Brightline officials have spent nearly 15 hours with the Miami Herald answering questions and educating them on railroad safety. What was clear from the beginning of their reporting and is evident in the story they ultimately published – facts mattered less than their pre-conceived angle.
"Safety is the top priority at Brightline. We have been a leader in the industry on safety initiatives related to education, enforcement, and engineering. As a result of our focus, including our significant investments in safety infrastructure, none of the incidents along the railroad have been the result of improper train handling by Brightline personnel or failure of our equipment or infrastructure.
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"The incidents we have seen in Florida are the same ones facing other railroads around the nation. The tragic fact is that they are preventable. Our hearts go out to anyone impacted by these incidents – including loved ones, our train crew, first responders, and the community at large.
"We all need to do our part – motorists, pedestrians and community members – to act safely and follow the laws around the tracks. We have an ongoing, cooperative and strong relationship with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation and are fully compliant with all federal and state regulations.
"We will continue to take a proactive approach to public safety and will work with any organization interested in amplifying the message to stay safe around the tracks. If you are interested in learning more or taking the rail safety pledge yourself, please visit BrightlineSafety.com."
Ben Williams