MARCH 25, 2015
MAITLAND, FLORIDA
A southbound SunRail train was involved in a crash with a
Ford Freestyle in Maitland this evening.
No injuries were reported in the crash, which occurred near
the tracks at Horatio and Maitland avenues at about 6:30 p.m., Department of
Transportation spokeswoman Jessica Keane said.
The back end of the Ford was smashed, and there was some
minor damage to the train.
Witnesses told Maitland police the driver of the Ford may
have tried to beat the train by speeding through the crossing, Lt. Louis
Grindle said.
The driver was not immediately cited, Grindle said.
All SunRail trains were suspended as of 7:20 p.m.
The train involved in the crash carried the 150 passengers
aboard back north to Maitland station. The Ford was towed away around 7:45 p.m.
Pete Baker, one of the passengers, said some of the people
on board were heading to Orlando Magic game downtown.
After the crash, the train lost power and the air
conditioning went off, Baker said.
The most recent SunRail crash was reported in January, when
a minivan driver tried to maneuver around lowering traffic arms as a train
approached, Orlando police said at the time.
No injuries were reported in that crash. The train was stopped
on the tracks at Virginia Drive and North Orange Avenue for about an hour.
The driver should have their license suspended for 10 years,
and have to pay each person on the train a $1000 inconvenience fee.