Car Crashes Into Train In Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Florida -- Traffic investigators from the Melbourne Police Department are currently investigating a vehicle versus train crash where one person died. 

 At 3:43 a.m. today, officers responded to the crash located at Eau Gallie Boulevard and the Florida East Coast Railway crossing.  At this point in the investigation, Melbourne police say that it appears a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis was traveling eastbound on Eau Gallie Boulevard as the freight train was crossing at this location.  The Mercury crossed over and into the oncoming westbound lanes, hit a small train crossing arm, and then struck the side of the train. 

The Mercury came to rest on its passenger side, off to the side of the tracks. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Aaron Imes, was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  No one on the train was injured, nor did the train sustain any damage.  

Investigators say that the train crossing arms, warning lights and bells appear to have all been operating at the time of the crash. Eau Gallie Boulevard was closed for approximately three hours as investigators and maintenance crews were at the scene. The roadway is now open to normal traffic.