POMPANO BEACH, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A 40-year-old scooter driver was killed Thursday afternoon after a collision with a Brightline train at a railroad crossing in Pompano Beach.
The crash happened around 12:48 p.m. at the intersection of East Copans Road and North Dixie Highway. Broward County Regional Communications received a call reporting a crash with injuries, and Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue responded.
On scene, deputies learned the crash involved a Brightline train and Michael Pappis, who was operating a scooter. Traffic homicide detectives later determined the train was traveling northbound on the west set of tracks approaching Copans Road.
Investigators say Pappis attempted to cross the tracks from west to east despite active warning signals at the grade crossing, including lights, bells and gates. The scooter struck the front left side of the Brightline train just behind the nose cone.
Following the impact, both the scooter and Pappis were projected northwest, where they came to a final rest. The train conducted an emergency stop and came to a final rest north of the grade crossing. No other injuries were reported.
Paramedics transported Pappis to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Detectives determined that all safety equipment at the Copans Road grade crossing was operational at the time of the crash.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is continuing its investigation.
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