WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Authorities have identified the woman who was killed after her vehicle was hit by a freight train in West Palm Beach Wednesday evening.
Harreen Bertisch, 76, of Palm Beach Gardens, died at St. Mary's Medical Center as a result of her injuries, police said Thursday.
Bertisch was driving a Honda CRV west on Fern Street from Quadrille Boulevard and stopped on the tracks just before 5:30 p.m. when the railroad crossing gate arms lowered, according to West Palm Beach Police Department spokesman Mike Jachles
A northbound freight train, about two miles long with 175 cars, was traveling about 40 mph when it struck the Honda.
"Everything was functioning properly, including the gates and warning signals," Jachles told WPTV. "The train also applied emergency breaks."
She was married to Robert Bertisch, longtime executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, which is based in downtown West Palm Beach, according to its website. Harreen Bertisch was the director of development for the nonprofit.
The Palm Beach County Bar Association reacted to Bertisch's death in a Facebook post.
*Preliminary information stated that the victim was in her 60s. Police confirmed Thursday afternoon that Bertisch was in fact 76 years old.
