‘Heaven gained an angel’: Jacksonville mother killed by train remembered for helping others

“Planting that root system in other people that says, you can get through it,” Tiffany Dove’s brother said. “I’m going to help you get there. That was my sister.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of a 42-year-old Jacksonville mother who was struck and killed by a train this week says she is being remembered for her faith, her kindness and her desire to help others.

Tiffany Dove died Wednesday after the Florida Highway Patrol says she tried to drive around a lowered railroad crossing gate at Timuquana Road and Roosevelt Boulevard. Troopers said her vehicle was hit by an Amtrak train shortly before 7:30 p.m.

This story continues below.

More in People

Dove’s brother, Michael Dove, said the loss has been devastating for the family, she had just celebrated her birthday Monday.

“Growing up, we’ve always had a special bond,” he said. “But after mom passed, she was like mom to the family. It’s like losing my mom again.”

Michael Dove said his sister was known for encouraging others and helping people through hard times.

“She could say, ‘Hey, you can get through it too. You can make it. I’m gonna help you get there,’” he said. “That was my sister.”

He said Tiffany Dove loved Jacksonville, loved the Jaguars and was deeply rooted in her faith. She was even baptized at the beach.

“She called me, Bub, I just got baptized,” he said. “And praise God, man.”

She had also planned to spend this weekend with family and go to church, he said.

“She just had all these plans of living,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, she’s not here now, but that doesn’t mean that her legacy and her memories can’t go forward. Her story should be told.”

Michael Dove said he is grateful for the people who tried to help his sister after the crash, including a witness who rushed to the scene named Misty.

“Miss Misty, thank you from the bottom of my heart and my family’s hearts for everything that you did,” he said.

The witness told us she ran across the street, broke out the windows, tried to cut the seat belt and held Dove’s hand as she prayed for her.

According to a spokesperson for Amtrak, the train, carrying 385 passengers, had departed from Sanford, Fla., just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, heading to Lorton, Va. No one on board was reported injured.

“Preventing incidents and fatalities on the railroad is a priority for Amtrak,” a spokesperson said in a statement to First Coast News. “According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America, and railroad-highway grade crossing incidents are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in America. These incidents can affect everyone involved—those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers. They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and grade crossings.”