Oscar Cardenas, 32, the driver, and his 20-year-old kid brother, Jehu Cardenas, were killed on Sunday, July 2, 2025, at the Pierson RR crossing attempting to drive around lowered crossing barriers while the warning lights were flashing at the intersection shown above.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
PIERSON, Fla. -- Two brothers were killed in early July when a train struck their vehicle at a railroad crossing at the intersection of West Washington Avenue and North Volusia Avenue (also known as County Road 3).
The deadly accident occurred around 9:14 p.m. on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) as they were attempting to drive around lowered crossing barriers while the warning lights were flashing. The brothers were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities were initially withheld by the Sheriff's Office until next of kin was notified.
They have since been identified as Pierson residents Oscar Cardenas, 32, and his 20-year-old kid brother, Jehu Cardenas.
The brothers were traveling east on West Washington Avenue when they tried to bypass the crossing arms. A northbound train then collided with their vehicle, according to the Volusia Sheriff's Office.
The older brother, who was driving with his younger brother in the front passenger seat of a four-door Chevrolet, was eastbound on W. Washington Avenue from County Road 3. VSO investigators determined that the vehicle approached the railroad, drove around the railroad barrier, and over the arm bars. Both arm bars and the lights were active and working.
The older brother, who was driving with his younger brother in the front passenger seat of a four-door Chevrolet, was eastbound on W. Washington Avenue from County Road 3. VSO investigators determined that the vehicle approached the railroad, drove around the railroad barrier, and over the arm bars. Both arm bars and the lights were active and working.
As the vehicle attempted to cross the railroad tracks, a train heading north struck the vehicle. The driver and passenger were both pronounced deceased on the scene.
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