Ft. Lauderdale Tri-Rail Tracks Open After Deadly Motorcycle Crash
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – All Tri-Rail tracks in the Fort Lauderdale area were opened late Friday morning after a deadly accident involving a motorcycle. But earlier in the day, commuters saw major delays in their commute.
According to authorities, railroad workers discovered two bodies on the tracks at approximately 6:40 a.m. Friday. Officials said two people on the motorcycle were killed after it reportedly drove off a nearby overpass and fell 38 feet, landing on the CSX Railway tracks.
Police identified the passenger in that incident as 20-year-old Stephanie A. Fredericks of Sunrise. The motorcyclist was identified as 24- year-old Luis Gustavo Sanchez from Southwest Ranches.
The motorcycle, a 2009 Suzuki, landed on the railroad tracks below the I-95 ramp that connects with westbound I-595.
"At this point, were still investigating," Sgt. Mark Wysocky with FHP said. "We don't know what time the crash occurred.We have troopers up top on the exit ramp working on the scene to see if there was possibly another vehicle involved. We don't have any witnesses that have come forward at this time."
Tri-Rail is operating, but was experiencing system-wide delays of at least 45 to 60 minutes as of 10 a.m. Friday.
"I had to take a bus here," delayed commuter Rachel Walker said. "It was inconvenient. I had to be at work at 10 o'clock and I'm still waiting."
A bus bridge was set up to ferry passengers between the Fort Lauderdale station and Fort Lauderdale Airport station.
"I was headed south to Miami. I started at the Fort Lauderdale station," Randy Scott, one of many diverted passengers, said. "But they diverted everyone who was displaced because of the accident over here to Dania Beach, the airport and then we'll go south from here."
Passengers were advised to seek alternate means of transportation, if at all possible.
Drivers were also being delayed on southbound I-95 to the access ramp for westbound I-595 because at least one lane was closed by investigators.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 954-837-4012.
