Florida man William Forte dies in Indian River County train accident

clock Created with Sketch Beta. March 31, 2026
Florida man William Forte dies in Indian River County train accident

WABASSO, FL, (March 29, 2026) — A 62-year-old man was killed Sunday morning after being struck by a freight train in Wabasso, authorities said.

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as William Ronald Forte Jr. Investigators said Forte was walking on the tracks at the 77th Street crossing, just west of Old Dixie Highway, at approximately 7:20 a.m. when he was hit by a Florida East Coast Railway train.

Forte was pronounced dead at the scene. The train conductor stopped immediately after the collision.


TRAIN ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Federal data shows that railroad-related incidents in the United States result in approximately 950 deaths and more than 6,500 injuries annually. These incidents include pedestrian strikes, trespassing cases, employee injuries, passenger-related events, and highway-rail crossing accidents. Contributing factors can include human error, track defects, mechanical issues, signal failures, or unauthorized access to railways.

Candice Bond, an experienced train accident attorney, noted that investigators will examine these factors closely and emphasized the importance of an independent legal review.

“Train crashes are often complex, and multiple elements may contribute to these types of incidents,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. “An experienced attorney can help protect a victim’s family from large rail companies, which often deploy their own investigators and resources to defend against liability. A lawyer can assist by hiring expert witnesses, identifying witnesses, and reviewing insurance coverage, while guiding the family through the legal process and safeguarding their rights.”


WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

Pending the results of the investigation, the family of William Forte may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim. Families of victims may seek compensation for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic accident.

“The emotional toll after losing a loved one in such circumstances can be overwhelming,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal. “We understand the challenges families face, and protecting their rights is essential. A wrongful death attorney will monitor the investigation and help ensure their legal interests are fully represented.”


(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)


If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

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