Delray Beach Officials Probe Fire Truck and Brightline Train Collision
Residents and city officials in Delray Beach, Florida, are demanding answers following a collision between a fire rescue truck and a Brightline train on December 28, which left 15 people injured, including four firefighters.
During a city commission meeting on Tuesday, Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney assured the public that the investigation would uncover the facts behind the crash. Vice Mayor Juli Casale emphasized the urgency, pressing for transparency and accountability. “Residents want to know: Were these gentlemen on their way to a call?” Casale questioned.
Concerns over firefighter licensing emerged during the discussion. A preliminary report revealed that nearly a dozen fire department personnel, including some firefighters, have faced issues with suspended, invalid, or expired driver’s licenses. City Attorney Lynn Gelin confirmed that the number included approximately 10 personnel but clarified that not all were firefighters. Officials reassured the public that the four firefighters involved in the crash held valid licenses.
The fire truck driver, David Wyatt, alongside assistant chief Kevin Green, division chief Todd Lynch, and Captain Brian Fiery, were inside the truck during the collision. All four have been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Witness accounts suggest the fire truck attempted to cross the tracks despite the crossing guard arms being down. Passenger Zach Thrasher, aboard the Brightline train en route to Orlando, described the impact: “The fire truck believed the cargo train was the only train. They tried to cross, didn’t see us, and we collided.”
Three separate agencies are now investigating the incident to determine how the crash occurred and whether protocol violations contributed. Vice Mayor Casale raised additional questions about whether the firefighters were responding to an emergency call, but no definitive answer was provided during the meeting.
Officials continue to stress the importance of ensuring firefighter readiness and public safety. Mayor Carney remarked, “We don’t want unlicensed drivers. I don’t want unlicensed drivers driving to the fire station, let alone driving a fire truck.”
Updates will be provided as investigations proceed.
