A Boynton Beach cyclist is dead after being struck by a Brightline high-speed train on Wednesday.
Investigators determined that the cyclist, identified as 51-year-old Boynton resident Jeffrey D. King, pedaled around closed crossing barriers at the 100 block of Ocean Avenue in an attempt to beat the oncoming train.
King is the second person killed by a Brightline train in less than one week. A woman was also killed by the high-speed train five days earlier in Boynton Beach.
"Brightline has been active in working with the Federal Railroad Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation and elected officials to ensure infrastructure improvements and safety requirements were complied with as prescribed and approved by officials," Brightline said in a statement.
"Brightline continues to reinforce awareness and education. It is critical that the public remains attentive when near any active railroad, always obey the laws and respect the safety devices that are in place to protect the public. Never try to beat a train."
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has called on U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to investigate and determine "whether additional actions need to be taken to improve grade-cross safety."