Family Mourns 17-Year-Old Teen Fatally Struck by Train While Walking to School in Brandon

A Brandon family is grieving an unimaginable loss after their 17-year-old son, Jamar Bond, was fatally struck by a CSX freight train while walking to school early Thursday morning, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Jamar Bond was walking near railroad tracks along Lakewood Drive in Brandon on his way to Brandon High School when he was struck by a freight train in the early morning hours.

Investigators reported that the area was covered in dense fog at the time of the incident. Headphones were found near Jamar, though authorities have not yet determined whether they contributed to the accident.

Jamar was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where he tragically died the following day from his injuries.

The incident remains under active investigation as detectives work to determine exactly how the collision occurred and whether additional factors played a role.

The tragedy is compounded by prior loss within the family. Jamar’s father passed away when Jamar was just eight years old, leaving his mother, Jewell McMillan, and his 19-year-old twin sisters to now endure another devastating heartbreak.

McMillan said she learned of her son’s injuries when a deputy came to her door early Thursday morning.

“I never expected it,” she said, sharing that the last time she saw her son alive was the night before, when she kissed him goodnight.

Family members described Jamar as a joyful, energetic young man who loved basketball, enjoyed making people laugh, and was deeply protective of those he cared about. He had aspirations of working in healthcare, engineering, or possibly joining the U.S. Coast Guard.

In the wake of his passing, the family has launched a website and plans to establish a foundation in Jamar’s honor to keep his memory alive and support others.

Train-pedestrian collisions are often catastrophic and frequently involve complex factors such as:

• Limited visibility due to weather conditions like fog
• Inadequate warnings or barriers near tracks
• Lack of pedestrian crossings or safe walkways
• Train speed and braking limitations
• Environmental or infrastructure issues

Unlike vehicles, trains cannot stop quickly, making early detection and clear safety measures critical in areas where pedestrians may be present.

Legal Rights After a Fatal Train Accident

When a fatal train accident occurs, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida law, depending on the circumstances.

Potential issues that may be examined include:

• Whether proper safety warnings, signage, or barriers were in place
• Visibility conditions and lighting near the tracks
• Train speed and operational compliance
• Whether the area was known to be a pedestrian pathway
• Maintenance and safety practices of the rail operator

Wrongful death claims may seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and support
• Mental pain and suffering of surviving family members
• Medical expenses incurred prior to death

These cases require thorough, independent investigation, often involving accident reconstruction, safety assessments, and review of rail operations.

How Flanagan & Bodenheimer Helps Families After Fatal Accidents

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families who have lost loved ones in preventable fatal accidents, including pedestrian and train-related deaths.

We intentionally maintain a small caseload, allowing families to work directly with experienced attorneys who handle every case with care, urgency, and respect. Our team acts quickly to:

• Conduct an independent investigation
• Preserve evidence and obtain surveillance or operational data
• Analyze safety conditions and compliance issues
• Identify all potentially responsible parties
• Handle all communication with insurers and investigators

Families pay nothing upfront. We only recover fees if we recover compensation.

If your family has lost a loved one in a train accident or pedestrian tragedy, you do not have to face this difficult time alone.

📞 Contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation. We represent families throughout Hillsborough County and across Florida, and we are committed to helping families seek accountability, answers, and justice after devastating loss.