On January 9, 2026, the 17-year-old Brandon High School student who was struck by a CSX train has died.
On January 8, 2026, at 8:23 a.m., deputies responded to the railroad tracks near Lakewood Drive in Brandon, where they located a teenager who had been struck by a train. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.
During the investigation, deputies learned the teenager was walking on the tracks toward Brandon High School, when a train came from behind and struck him as he attempted to jump out of the way. Deputies found a pair of headphones near the victim but were still trying to determine how the accident occurred. Dense fog was observed in the area at the time of the accident.
This remains an active investigation. Any additional updates will be provided by the Public Affairs Office.