Driver Hospitalized After Collision With Brightline Train In Hallandale Beach

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A driver had to be hospitalized after his pick-up truck was struck by a Brightline train Friday afternoon in Hallandale Beach.

It happened on Southwest 3rd Street and South Dixie Highway at around 6 p.m.

The pick-up truck was left in shambles. The truck's battery and other components were tossed more than a hundred feet away from the vehicle.

The entire ordeal was caught on camera.

Dashcam video from the train shows the moment of impact as the driver drives around the closed gate at a railroad crossing.

"It's horrible, but I'm not surprised," said Robert LaSpina who was among the neighbors who heard the loud bang when the pickup truck and the Brightline train collided.

No one on the train suffered any injuries, but CBS4 learned the driver of the pick-up was transported to Aventura Hospital, where his condition remains unknown.

Watch: Video shows moment of impact.

In a statement, a Brightline official warned about this behavior saying, "Driving around the gates is a dangerous and an illegal act that places you at risk and endangers the life of our passengers and crew."

But those who live in the area say the intersection is confusing and dangerous.

"I was this close to being hit and my son was this close to being hit with all my grandkids," said LaSpina, who adds when traveling south on Dixie Highway, it's hard to see the train warning until you turn and then it's too late.

"The vehicle in front of me turned, we had a green light, it was fine, he turned and went up on the tracks and I turned behind him and all of a sudden the bar started coming down on top of us, we had to gun it and go across but we have a green line. It's too short notice."

While officials warn drivers to pay attention around railroad crossings, LaSpina is asking for more safety measures for drivers.

"They simply have to examine how this operates and give vehicles that are going to cross more time."

Officials say they're continuing to investigate the cause of the accident and while they do, Brightline said they can't stress how dangerous it is to attempt to beat a train.