18 second video: Woman gets out of stalled car moments before train hits

Amy Pavuk and Henry Pierson Curtis

orlandosentinel.com

Dramatic video released Thursday shows just how narrowly Kristen L. Taylor escaped a train crash that demolished her new sports coupe earlier this week.

Taylor's Infiniti stalled on a railroad crossing in Maitland just before the traffic arms came down Monday afternoon.

Video released Thursday shows Taylor jumping out of her Infiniti a moment before a SunRailcommuter train struck and destroyed her car.

Taylor declined to discuss her near-death experience.

In a call to her home near Eatonville, Taylor's mother said, "I almost lost my daughter. Thank God my child's alive."

In the background, Taylor could be heard saying she did not want to speak to reporters.

Police said Taylor, 28, recently bought the Infiniti and was still learning how to drive a stick shift.

Authorities have said Taylor was headed west on Packwood Avenue when the Infiniti stalled. Taylor tried starting the car, but the 145-ton locomotive pulling three passenger cars was about 100 yards away and quickly approaching.

The train slowed from a top speed of 45 mph to 35 mph because it was approaching the Maitland train station.

Attempts to reach train conductor Frederick W. Robillard were unsuccessful Thursday.

A video depicting three angles — two of the crash and one of the train conductor — shows the rear of the Infiniti in the middle of the tracks.

Taylor opened her door and got out of the vehicle seconds before the train slammed into the Infiniti.

"This was an extremely close call," said Florida Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Olson.

Olson said drivers need to remember a train could come at any moment the crossing arms come down.

"What looks like a clear crossing at one moment could change pretty quickly," he said.

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