Driver, 77, killed in collision with train

A 77-year-old driver was killed in a collision with an Amtrak train in Oakland Park.

The crash happened about 1:10 p.m. Friday at the railroad crossing on Oakland Park Boulevard just west of Interstate 95, according to Tri-Rail spokeswoman Bonnie Arnold.

No other injuries were reported, she said.

Charles Stringfield, of Fort Lauderdale, drove his Lexus into the path of a northbound train as it began to go through the crossing, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. The train struck the passenger-side rear fender of the car and spun it around into a metal pole, investigators said.

Oakland Park Fire Rescue pronounced Stringfield dead at the scene.

Amtrak shares the rails with Tri-Rail commuter trains so service was interrupted for at least two hours, Arnold said.

Passengers were being bused between the Fort Lauderdale and Cypress Creek stations.

The crash closed West Oakland Park Boulevard in both directions between Powerline Road and Northwest 21st Avenue. The exit ramp from southbound I-95 to westbound Oakland Park Boulevard was also closed, officials said.