LANTANA, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — Brightline Trains Florida, LLC has filed a civil lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court over a collision between one of its passenger trains and a commercial car carrier that stopped on the tracks in Lantana.
The case, Brightline Trains Florida, LLC v. Vahran Khojovan and Starline Transport, LLC, Case No. 502025CA012929XXXAMB, was filed Dec. 11, 2025, in the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County. Brightline is demanding a jury trial.
According to the complaint, the crash traces back to the early evening of May 5, 2022. Around 6 p.m., as daylight was starting to fade, defendant Vahran Khojovan was driving westbound toward the Pine Street rail crossing near Dixie Highway. He was operating a 2000 Freightliner tractor connected to a 2014 car carrier trailer hauling seven vehicles, the lawsuit states.
Brightline alleges that Khojovan, who held a commercial driver’s license at the time, was working as an owner-operator, employee, or agent of Starline Transport, LLC. Starline is described as an Ohio-based commercial motor vehicle carrier with its principal place of business in Cleveland. Khojovan is identified as a New York resident.
At the Pine Street crossing, the complaint alleges, the tractor-trailer came to a stop while positioned on the active railroad tracks. A Brightline passenger train was approaching the crossing. Despite what the lawsuit describes as the train crew’s best efforts, the train could not stop in time and struck the car carrier trailer.
Hard impact. Metal, noise, damage.
Brightline claims the collision caused significant damage to its train. The company is not alleging personal injuries, but says it suffered property damage, cleanup costs, delays, and loss of use of its equipment. The amount in controversy is alleged to exceed $50,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees.
In its first count, Brightline accuses both Khojovan and Starline of motor vehicle negligence. The complaint alleges Khojovan failed to operate the commercial vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner and violated multiple federal and state rules governing railroad crossings. Those alleged violations include failing to stop before reaching the nearest rail, driving onto the crossing without enough space to clear it, and operating a vehicle without sufficient undercarriage clearance to safely pass over the tracks.
The lawsuit also cites alleged violations of Florida statutes and provisions of the Florida Commercial Driver’s Handbook related to railroad crossings.
A second count is directed solely at Starline Transport. In that claim, Brightline alleges negligent maintenance, hiring, training, and supervision. The complaint asserts that Starline failed to properly inspect and maintain the truck and trailer, including issues tied to clearance, and failed to ensure the vehicle could safely cross train tracks.
Brightline further alleges Starline failed to adequately train Khojovan on how to handle railroad crossings, including so-called “hump crossings,” and failed to properly assess his qualifications, experience, and driving history. The company also alleges Starline allowed the vehicle to operate without proper authorization in Florida.
Brightline is asking the court to enter judgment against both defendants for damages and court costs.
The allegations outlined in the complaint have not been tested in court. No response from the defendants has been filed as of the complaint’s filing date.
The original document, as filed with the Palm Beach County Clerk of Court, can be viewed here.
0 Comments