A tragedy that shouldn't have happened...

Veronica Morano was a successful lawyer in Argentina who visited Miami on a regular basis. She was staying in her apartment there in mid-November and decided to extend her visit a couple of days to shop for Christmas presents. Back home in Argentina she had a son, husband and many loving family members with whom she'd be celebrating the holidays.

Her Mercedes SUV was hit by a Brightline train near the Aventura Mall on the afternoon of November 15. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her car was trapped on the tracks inside the gate. A witness said the gate came down and trapped her car just seconds before the train arrived at the crossing. (The family is in contact with the witness.)

A review of the 2014 Federal Railroad Administration's assessment of all crossings on the Virgin Trains' route shows the crossing near the mall was recommended for CLOSURE. The roadway designs near and across the tracks posed a dangerous condition so it was recommended the road NOT cross the tracks at that point. Like pedestrian gates at crossings, this and other road closures were not carried out by the counties or implemented by Virgin.

So did the gates come down late and trap Veronica on the tracks? Only a review of the Black Boxes on both the train and at the crossing would show what exactly happened and the timing...those boxes are the property of the railroad corporation. The FRA doesn't investigate railroad accidents unless at least 3 people are killed - so they have not investigated ANY Virgin Trains related deaths.

The railroad investigates itself or, as we say, the fox is guarding the hen house. Veronica's family wants to know what happened. They don't want other families going through the shock and devastation they have been through. It's up to the Governor and FDOT to initiate an independent, expert investigation into the accident. In fact, they can appoint permanent, railroad accident investigators to do a proper investigation into every rail accident - and they should!

Join us in contacting the Governor and Transportation Secretary and

Ask them to appoint an independent team of railroad investigators for Florida!

Governor Ron DeSantis Kevin Thibault, FL Transportation Secretary

Ron.Desantis@eog.state.FL.US Kevin.Thibault@DOT.state.FL.US

850-717-9337 850-414-4100

Florida had 59 rail-related deaths in 2019 and half were Virgin Trains deaths.

Isn't it about time we know exactly what happened?!

* OPPAGA Passenger

Rail Safety Study

Imagine this through YOUR town 34 times per day going 30 mph FASTER!

BACKGROUND

Fortress Investment Group is Forcing 21st Century Passenger

Rail onto19th Century Infrastructure

Flagler’s coastal route from Jacksonville to Miami was never intended for trains going 110 mph. The 19th Century route runs through the heart of 42 towns and cities and, unlike modern High Speed Rail, does not tunnel under or bridge over 580 streets at-grade.

Because of those at-grade crossings, Florida East Coast Rail is one of the deadliest systems in the US with 26 deaths since January, 2018 and over 500 accidents/incidents in the past 10 years. (Not including Virgin Trains accidents and 40 deaths.)

Flagler’s southern route traverses the St. Lucie, Loxahatchee and New rivers using 100 year old bridges. The aging bridges must close for hours as trains cross, creating dangerous waiting times for boaters.

Every study, including the Florida HSR Commission’s analysis and a 2010 Study for the US Conference of Mayors by Siemens Corp., concludes new tracks designed for HSR should be built along I-95 or the Florida Turnpike.

It is clear the only reason these trains are being forced onto a 100 year old route is to double the freight capacity of FECR, now owned by a Mexican company - Grupo Mexico.

This must not stand!

43 Are Dead on the Virgin Tracks alone... and there are NO increased safety regulations for trains going 80 - 125 mph!

We need the Passenger Rail Safety Bills in the Florida House and Senate (SB 676 & HB 465) passed this session! Senator Debbie Mayfield and Representative Tyler Sirois have sponsored the legislation reflecting the safety issues and recommendations found in an independent study of Florida’s passenger rail systems. From Sun Rail to CSX, this is a stateside issue. Tell your elected officials to speak out in favor of the bills and PASS them!