Woman hit and killed by train on Philips Highway, police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A woman is dead after being hit by a passenger train on Philips Highway early Saturday.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the train, reportedly owned by Florida East Coast Railway, was traveling southbound when it struck the woman on the tracks at Mussels Acres.

The victim was pronounced dead by first responders.

“We’re quickly working to identify the victim and determine where they entered the tracks. We’re canvassing the area for video surveillance to assist us with our investigation,” JSO Sergeant Edwin Cayenne said. “At this time no, there was no technical issues with the train.”

Investigators are working to identify the woman. JSO said the victim has been transported to the medical examiner to determine if she may have already been deceased prior to being hit.

It was a troubling sight Saturday morning for the Safers.

They said they drove to Walmart around 7 a.m. to find several JSO vehicles parked next to the train tracks and crime scene tape blocking off the road leading to the store.

The Safers said the crash is in an area where some homeless people live.

“With all the homeless people around here, we just thought that that’s what happened. A train just accidentally hit her, by no fault of either one,” Ilisa Safer said.

At this time, JSO is unable to confirm where the woman lived.

“It’s just sad. I mean you don’t want to ever assume it’s going to happen to somebody one day but you just never know,” Ilisa Safer said.

We have reached out to Florida East Coast Railway for comment but have not heard back.

According to Federal Railroad Administration statistics. Florida ranked 6th for the most railway incidents in 2020, including collisions, deaths, and injuries.

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