Brightline Train Struck Car In Hallandale Beach

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A mangled mess of metal was all that was left of a car after it was struck by a Brightline train early Thursday morning in Hallandale Beach.

It happened around 6 a.m. at NE 215 Street and E Dixie Highway.

A Brightline representative said the driver of the vehicle went around the gates, which were down and flashing, and bells ringing signaling the approach of the train.

It's something Renard Hanes said happens too often.

"The gates will be coming down and guys will dip right through them," he said.

Earlier this month, Brightline announced a major investment in educating and enforcing safety practices to prevent crashes.

Last month, a grandmother and her year-old grandchild narrowly survived after they drove onto the tracks. The train crashed into the back of their car.

"This is a problem that's endemic to the railroad industry, where people don't behave as they should. They don't obey the laws," said Brightline's President Patrick Goddard at the time.

A witness said her car was on the tracks before the railroad crossing arms were lowered. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue said the woman was trying to turn around on the tracks and was on them before the arms lowered.

There were no injuries onboard the train in Thursday's crash.

The two people in the car died in the crash.