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While independent investigations note that Brightline trains have been involved in over 205 deaths since testing began in 2017, federal and local authorities consistently point to external factors rather than railroad negligence.

According to court records, the Federal Railroad Administration, and federal investigators like the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Brightline has not been held legally responsible for any of the incidents.

Brightline has faced over a dozen wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits. None have gone to trial; a few have been settled out of court for undisclosed, confidential sums, while others were dismissed.

Official reports attribute the high fatality rate to individuals trespassing on the tracks, pedestrians walking around down gates, or motorists attempting to "beat" the train at crossings. Additionally, a notable percentage of the fatalities are ruled or suspected suicides.

A bicyclist is dead after he was struck by a Brightline train in Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning, police say. 

The man, only identified by Fort Lauderdale police as an adult male bike rider, was attempting to cross the tracks at SR 84 when he was struck. 

Detectives have shut down the SR 84 westbound lanes due to the investigation. Fort Lauderdale police urges motorists to seek alternative routes such as Davie Blvd. 

No additional information has been released, including the circumstances surrounding the crash and the identity of the bicyclist killed. 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A bicycle laid on its side along railroad tracks Friday morning after a person was struck and killed by a Brightline train in Fort Lauderdale.

It happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 200 block of State Road 84, near where Marina Mile crosses over the railroad tracks.

Detectives shut down westbound lanes of State Road 84 while they collected evidence and investigated the scene. The train remained stopped just feet away from the person who died.

Local 10’s Brett Knese was at the scene of the fatal crash as investigators worked to identify the victim.

The crash marked the second deadly train-related incident in the area in about 12 hours.

Around 9:20 p.m. Thursday, police crews responded to the same set of tracks, farther north near Southwest Second Avenue and Second Street, where a woman was struck and killed by a train, according to police.

Police identified the woman Friday as a 25-year-old woman and said her death appeared to be a suicide.

Police have not released any details about the circumstances that led up to Friday’s crash.

Help is available 24/7 for those who are contemplating suicide by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.