Charles Lasala dies in fatal Lantana car crash

Charles Lasala dies in fatal Lantana car crash

Fatal Lantana car crash death of Charles Lasala

A man identified as Charles Lasala, aged 70, met his demise Thursday afternoon when his vehicle was involved in a collision with a Brightline train while he attempted to cross the tracks at a Lantana intersection, authorities reported.

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Lasala was operating his 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe eastbound on West Pine Street around 1:53 p.m. on July 3. He reached the railroad crossing at Dixie Highway and, despite active warning signals and flashing lights, proceeded onto the tracks, deputies stated.

As Lasala’s SUV was already on the tracks, he attempted to reverse his direction. However, the train, moving northbound on the Brightline line, collided with the vehicle’s passenger side. Following the impact, the car was redirected northwest and struck a safety signal post before coming to a stop.

Medical personnel confirmed Lasala’s death at the location shortly after the incident occurred.

Since Brightline’s inception in 2018, connecting Miami and West Palm Beach, more than thirty individuals, including drivers and pedestrians, have lost their lives in accidents involving the train service, statistics indicate.