Confusion still exists as to what caused a train to back into a tractor-trailer late last night. The truck-train accident, which happened around 11:00 p.m. last night, closed Landstreet Road near Orange Avenue for almost eight hours.

The driver of the semi said he was stopped at the tracks when the railroad crossing gates went up and he proceeded across the tracks. The train, which was backing up, collided with the side of the semi, causing it to roll over on its side. The semi caught fire, but the driver was able to escape with only minor injuries. The conductor, however, who was riding at the back of the train, was sent to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to tv news reports, there was some concern over chemicals that were being transported on the train, but it was determined there was no safety risk.

Was it the white Mercedes or the black Pontiac traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-95 that caused the multiple car accidents? Florida Highway Patrol is not saying and the investigation may lasts several days, or maybe even a few weeks.

All that is known for certain is that the two vehicles were in a head-on crash at about 5:00 am this morning. The driver of the Mercedes, a 54 year-old man from Quebec, and the two passengers in the backseat, a 79 year-old from Quebec and an 83 year-old man from Boca Raton, were killed instantly. The third victim was a 69 year-old woman who was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The 25 year-old driver of the Pontiac survived the collision and was doing better than expected and should survive the accident.

There were other accidents related to the vehicle going the wrong way, but not directly involved in the head-on collision. A Delray Beach office saw the vehicle going in the wrong direction and pursued it – headed south in the ermergency northbound lane with lights flashing and sirens on, trying to stop the vehicle. The police officer’s car was struck by a white Chevy with four male passengers, stopping the police officer in his pursuit of the wrong-way driver. Everyone in this car crash sustained on minor injuries.

Another vehicle, a Honda rental car driven by a New Jersey couple, swerved from the center lane trying to avoid the original Mercedes/Pontiac crash and was struck by a blue Hyundai. All three victims in this accident walked away without any serious injuries.

The Delray Beach officer was commended by FHP for trying to stop the car headed south in the northbound lane. Lt. Tim Frith was reported as saying,

To pursue a vehicle that’s obviously driving in the wrong direction was
certainly heroic, an act of bravery on his part. He was in the
emergency lane flashing his lights, trying to alert other motorists as this
vehicle was approaching, too. It certainly was a dangerous situation.

One of our Road Rangers, those kind folks who help you out for free if you break down on the interstate, was critically injured in an auto accident while performing his noble duty yesterday.

The 52 year-old Ranger who patrolled I-95 in the Ft. Lauderdale area was helping someone in a 2001 Mazda change a flat tire. With the orange cones in place and all of his warning signals working, the Ranger was hit from behind by a 2004 Hyundai as he went around the left side of the vehicle. The driver of the Hyundai was apparently trying to change from the inside lane to the outside lane and was unable to control the vehicle. He hit the outside wall first and then rammed into the back of the Mazda and the Ranger. The Ranger was transported to Broward General Medical Center.