By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

An Amtrak Silver Meteor passenger train headed to New York hit and killed a woman north of Vine Street in Kissimmee just before 1:15 p.m. Monday, officials said. 

The train struck a “trespasser” on the track just west of La Placita Market, 519 E. Vine St., at 1:13 p.m., according to an Amtrak spokeswoman.

Lourdes Perez, 49, of Kissimmee, was killed, spokeswoman Stacie Miller said, adding the investigation is on-going.
Train 98, which originated from Miami, was scheduled to stop at the Kissimmee Amtrak station at 12:56 p.m., according to the online train schedule, and was to stop next in Orlando at 1:35 p.m.
According to eyewitness Charles Givens, who was standing on the south side of the highway near the Wholly Smokes tobacco shop, the train was slowing, with the conductor blowing its whistle and heavily applying its brakes before the impact.
He thought a passenger was sick or the brakes had overheated because of the smell of the hydraulic fluid.
“When I crossed (Vine Street), I saw the young lady lying in the grass,” Givens said. “I didn't see the train hit her. It happened so quickly.”
Givens recognized her as a Puerto Rican woman nicknamed “Sunshine.” He said he's known her since 2005.
The train was stopped and blocking traffic in both directions on Vine Street, which was closed for more than 2 hours Monday between Main Street and Michigan Avenue as the Kissimmee Police Department's investigation.
The train had 218 passengers, none of whom reported any injuries, the Amtrak spokeswoman said.

Reporter Ken Jackson contributed to this story.