Pedestrian Dies after Being Struck by Metro-Link Train NR14320dm

Los Angeles:  On Friday, August 22, 2014, around 4:30 p.m., the train operator for a Metro-Link train was traveling from Union Station to Riverside.  The train was traveling southbound, at a speed of 40 to 45 miles per hour.  The train operator observed a male Hispanic, approximately 25 to 30 years of age, walking southbound down the middle of the tracks.

As this was occurring, the southbound train operator observed another Metro-Link train traveling northbound on the tracks just west of his train. The unidentified pedestrian did not notice the Metro-Link train as it approached him from the rear.  The southbound train operator activated his horn, but the pedestrian did not turn around or step off the tracks.  The southbound train operator activated his emergency brakes, while continuing to activate his horn, but the pedestrian did not respond, possibly due to the noise created by both trains.  This resulted in the southbound train colliding with the pedestrian. The impact from the collision caused the pedestrian to be launched in a southeast direction, where he collided with the gravel railroad corridor. The southbound train slowly came to a complete stop just south of the collision.   The pedestrian sustained extensive blunt force trauma to this chest, legs, and head and was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics.

This investigation is being handled as a death report, due to its occurrence outside of a roadway and on Metro-Link’s right of way.  It is being handled by Detectives assigned to Central Traffic Division.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective M. Kaden, at (213) 486-0750, or the Detective Section of Central Traffic Division at (213) 833-3746.  During non-business hours or weekends, contact Central Traffic Division’s Watch Commander at (213) 833-3746, or 877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800)-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.