(February 10, 2026 – Scottdale, Georgia)
One man was killed and another female passenger injured in a train collision in the early hours of Tuesday, February 10, in Scottdale, Georgia. The tragic collision took place just east of East Ponce de Leon Avenue at the CSX Transportation-owned North Clarendon Avenue crossing.
The male driver has been identified as 38-year-old Brent Davis; the woman’s identity has not been released. According to investigators, it appears that the car was stalled on the tracks with both passengers inside as Davis frantically attempted to help the woman exit the vehicle before the freight train entered the crossing. The driver side of the vehicle was severely damaged by the contact. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene, and the woman was taken to a nearby hospital with severe injuries.
As documented in FRA records submitted by CSX, the N. Clarendon Ave. crossing is located in De Kalb County and used solely by CSX. Trains operating on the tracks travel at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. The crossing is equipped with an advance warning sign, grade crossing and intersection sign, and pavement markings, as well as 2 quad gates, mast-mounted lights, and bells. Notably, two intersections are situated just off the approaches, and the road and tracks intersect at a severe skew. Five other collisions have occurred at the crossing.
In the time ensuing the accident, the gates appeared to be lowered, but it has not been confirmed if they operated correctly in the moments leading to the crash. CSX employees spent some time testing the arms and seemed to have made repairs.
The investigation is still ongoing.