Train driver charged in death of former football star Osceola

A train driver in Maryland is now charged with the death of a teen football star linked to Central Florida.

Lamar Patterson died almost a year ago when his car collided with a train.

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The accident happened near Baltimore as Patterson was reportedly on his way to school.

Court documents show Tavon Smith, an MTA railroad operator, was charged with manslaughter, criminal negligence and reckless endangerment.

According to the documents, Smith drove, operated, and steered it with extreme carelessness.

Investigators reviewed video showing that the railroad crossing arms were not lowered at the time of the collision.

Patterson was in Baltimore to attend a private school called St. Frances Academy, known for its football program.

He played for several teams while living in Central Florida, including Osceola County High School.

Shortly after his death, News 6’s Treasure Roberts spoke to Patterson’s former teammate Ja’Randy Swint.

“We made history together. it [doesn’t] seem real, you know. I never would have thought that something like this could happen to him,” Swint said.

Swint sent News 6 a statement about the train driver’s arrest:

“We think of our friend every day and constantly pray for his family. We hope that this situation will be resolved in a positive way, because we cannot imagine what his family goes through after the loss of such a wonderful person. Long live Lamar Patterson.”

Patterson reportedly had scholarship offers from the states of Arizona, West Virginia, and Boston College, among other schools.

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