Troopers are still trying to determine why the driver of a Ford Explorer was traveling on rail tracks which led to an early morning crash with a CSX train near Magnolia Avenue and west Blue Springs Avenue, Orange City in Volusia County.
According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a 2004 Ford Explorer, driven by Clifford R. Kelly, Jr., 40, of Orange City was traveling northbound around 12:30 am on Tuesday morning on the railroad tracks near W. Blue Springs Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in Orange City.
A CSX train, driven by DJ Steadham, 47 of Jacksonville, was traveling southbound on the same railroad tracks approaching Magnolia Avenue.
Troopers said that the engineer of the train stated they were traveling approximately 40 mph and were able to slow down to about 15 mph at the point of the impact with Kelly’s vehicle. Kelly’s Ford Explorer was pushed in a southerly direction by the train for approximately 50 feet before coming to a final resting place on the east side of the tracks, facing a westerly direction.
Kelly was airlifted to the Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. He is currently in stable condition in the ICU.
Troopers are still trying to determine why Kelly was driving on the railroad tracks. Charges are pending. Alcohol played no role in the crash.
FHP is continuing with the investigation.
