The collision at Northlake Boulevard and Beeline Highway stopped a northbound passenger train and jammed afternoon traffic.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A northbound Amtrak train struck a dump truck at a rail crossing Wednesday afternoon at Northlake Boulevard and the Beeline Highway, killing the truck’s driver and bringing the passenger train to a stop in western Palm Beach County, authorities said.
Officials said the crash unfolded during the early afternoon commute and left one man dead at the scene. Fire-rescue crews from Palm Beach County and Palm Beach Gardens responded within minutes, finding the truck overturned and heavily damaged alongside the tracks. Police said no passengers aboard the Amtrak train reported injuries. The intersection, a major link between suburban neighborhoods and industrial corridors west of Interstate 95, saw significant delays as investigators documented the scene and crews worked to reopen lanes and clear the right of way.
The crash was reported around 2:25 p.m., when Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue were dispatched to the crossing. Responders found the dump truck on its side, with debris scattered across the ballast and shoulder. A West Palm Beach Police Department spokesperson said preliminary findings indicate the truck moved past the lowered crossing arms and warning lights into the path of a northbound passenger train. “I want to acknowledge the tragic loss of life that occurred today. There is a family experiencing immense grief,” police spokeswoman Rachel Leitão said. By late afternoon, officers said the train remained stopped nearby while crews assessed track conditions and cleared the wreckage.
Authorities said the driver of the dump truck died at the scene after paramedics’ efforts. Fire-rescue officials said a second person was evaluated for injuries. Police said the Amtrak crew reported no injuries among passengers or staff, and the locomotive stayed upright. The crossing sits at Northlake Boulevard and State Road 710, known locally as the Beeline Highway, near construction staging areas and heavy truck traffic. Photographs from the scene showed twisted metal and shattered glass around the crossing. Officers said the train was traveling north when the collision occurred; exact speed and braking distance were not immediately released. The name of the driver was being withheld pending notification of relatives.
The intersection is one of the county’s busier east–west corridors, carrying commuters between The Acreage and coastal suburbs and serving truck routes tied to nearby sand mines, warehouses and highway projects. Rail corridors in South Florida include passenger and freight traffic that frequently traverse at-grade crossings like Northlake and the Beeline. In recent years, transportation agencies have emphasized enforcement and public campaigns around gates and flashing-light warnings. Investigators on Wednesday focused on documenting signal function, arm position, sight lines and vehicle movements in the minutes before impact to determine whether mechanical issues or human decisions drove the sequence of events.
Police said the investigation remains open. Traffic officers and crash reconstruction specialists are reviewing witness statements, on-board video, and event data from the locomotive. Amtrak officials coordinated with local responders on track inspections and service plans. City alerts reported eastbound lanes on Northlake Boulevard were closed for a time at the Beeline; crews later reopened lanes as debris was removed and signal equipment inspected. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office will formally identify the driver and determine cause of death. Officials said any citations or enforcement decisions will follow the completion of the crash report. No hearing dates were announced Wednesday.
As dusk approached, traffic in the area moved slowly past patrol cars, flares and heavy equipment. Construction workers nearby watched crews lift wreckage from the ballast. “It’s a busy crossing, and everyone felt the thump,” said Luis Herrera, who was working at a site along Northlake when the collision happened. Residents described hearing horns and a sharp metallic crack before sirens converged. By evening, the locomotive idled north of the intersection while investigators measured skid marks and photographed signal housings, and a tow operator winched the truck’s crushed bed onto a flatbed.
As of late Wednesday, police said the rail line was being inspected and normal service would resume after safety checks. The crash report and driver identification are expected in the coming days as the investigation continues.
Author note: Last updated November 13, 2025.