DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The firefighter driving a Delray Beach fire truck when it was hit by a Brightline train has received a non-criminal traffic citation following an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
WPEC-TV reports the driver of the truck, David Wyatt, was issued the citation because he did not use “due care” when he drove into the path of the oncoming train.
Fifteen people — three firefighters and 12 people on board the train — were injured in the Dec. 28, 2024, incident in downtown Delray Beach [see “Fifteen injured …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 28, 2024]. Four firefighters, including two of those injured, were placed on administrative leave while the incident was investigated.
According to WPEC, the sheriff’s office 70-page investigation report says the fire truck was responding to a structure fire when it was stopped by a freight train at the 1st Street grade crossing. When that train passed, Wyatt drove around the still-lowered crossing gates, unaware of the Brightline train approaching at 79 mph.
WPTV reports that one of the other firefighters, Brian Fiorey, suffered series injuries to his leg requiring implanting of a metal rod. Fiorey told investigators he had no recollection of the crash beyond getting into the fire truck to respond to the fire call. Wyatt and the other injured firefighter, Joseph Fiumara III, also said they have no recollection of the collsion.
The report says the collision caused an estimated $500,000 damage. The fire department did not respond to WPEC’s inquiry whether there will be further disciplinary action.
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