Metrolink train collides with car; infant among 2 critically injured [Updated]

[Updated at 11:11 a.m.: Officials have provided new details on the accident. Click here for the latest.]

A Metrolink commuter train collided with a vehicle this morning in the San Fernando Valley, critically injuring an infant and one other passenger in the car, authorities said.

The crash was reported shortly after 7 a.m. in the 9800 block of North San Fernando Road near Branford Street, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

Witnesses told firefighters that two cars had collided on San Fernando Road, pushing at least one of them onto the tracks, where it was struck by the train, Humphrey said.

Four people were injured in the cars. Fire Department crews were making their way through the train to see whether any passengers were hurt, Humphrey said. There were reports of minor injuries among the 30 or so passengers on the train, said Metrolink spokesman Angie Starr.

Starr identified the train as Antelope Valley Line train No. 201 from Los Angeles to Lancaster, which departed from Los Angeles at 6:35 a.m. The crash has shut down the route until authorities can move the train with the passengers on board to the nearby Sylmar San Fernando station, she said. It has caused numerous delays and problems on the Antelope Valley Line.

-- Alexandra Zavis

Photo: An investigator checks the wreckage of two vehicles after a collision with a Metrolink commuter train early this morning. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

More photos.

Comments

[Jose]

People are so careless.... They need to pay more freakin' attention to what they're doing when driving, especially near train tracks!!!!!!

[Tom]

Jose, how do you know what caused the accident? Sometimes accidents are just accidents. In this case, there was some unreal bad luck involved as well.

[Dan]

I don't know how much Metrolink gets in subsidies from the government but it's time to shut down this piece of crap company. They don't know how to monitor their conductors, they have insufficient safety systems in place, the cars seem so old and out of date, and oh yeah, they have way too many accidents.

To me, it's obvious that they don't have enough money to be running a rail company. If it were an airline, I think most people would be too scared to take a flight that tries to cut so many corners and safety precautions because they can't afford them otherwise. Bring in some experts on mass transit, blow up this sytem, and start over... when the economy improves.

[Ken]

Jose...like Tom stated.........Accidents do happen and its sad to see a small child involved not to mention the others aswell.Your comment makes you seem like a perfect driver when in fact im sure youve had drivers honking at you for the mistakes youve made on the road aswell.Dont judge someone else until youve looked at yourself more clearly.

[Cara]

I agree with Jose...you don't rear-end a car hard enough to push it ten feet forward unless you are (a) speeding, and (b) not looking where you're going. Most "accidents" aren't random unavoidable occurrences -- they're due to carelessness.

[Rai*]

I hope the people involved especially the baby is okay. Jesus please be with them.

[mr.corso]

I definately agree with Jose and Cara, drivers seem especially careless in this neighborhood, I live there, I would know. My girlfriend had an accident with a woman yesterday who barely spoke english and appeared intoxicated. The hispanic woman was trying to cut lanes. Really saved herself some time, didnt she? I think the LAPD needs to do some more cracking down on illegal immigration. Especially the ones that are right there driving down the road, with no green card and no drivers license. I put my money on the accident being caused by a person of hispanic decent, and I'd also be willing to bet that at least one person involved is illegal.

[Jose]

They were trying to beat the train and cross even though the gates were closing.

It's a sad result, but that was reckless decision.

[Lewis]

When is LA going to get a real transit system? You got how many? 8 trains a day and one manages to hit a car. Where I come from our commuter system had 122 trains on one line during the morning rush alone. Commuter trains in densely populated areas should not have grade crossings.

[Marley]

Well look at all the armchair detectives... none of you were there, none of you were involved, yet know everything? Whatever.

I hope the baby will be okay.

[Cathy]

Yeah, it's just an accident, nothing you can do about it.

How about putting a barrier between the street and the tracks? Even those concrete K-rails? At least when a traffic accident occurs, it would not be compounded with a train wreck

[John]

Accidents happen and probably increases during the holidays!

[Shevelsheshe]

This picture looks as though the accident took place in a third-world country! Are you sure this isn't a picture taken in Mexico? I haven't been to L.A. in years. Looks as though it has really changed!

[Jesse]

It sounds like a freak accident.

[Mr Corso is a Bigot]

There are plenty of whites in BMWs out there cutting people off and driving recklessly. The driver's ethnic background has nothing to do with it. If anything, they need to make it more difficult to get a driver license in this country. As it is now, any fool who can pass the test gets awarded the privilege to drive. There are illiterates, mentally disturbed, non-high school grads and plain ole angry bigots on the highways. Raise the standards and I guarantee the accident rate (and corresponding stupidity) will go down.

[KK]

Cars not stopping when a fire truck or ambulance emergency is so common. Sometimes I get worried when pulling aside because the cars behind me couldn't care less and speeding by. I see this every single day. This is the new reality driving in many parts of Los Angeles. Sad but true.

[Nina]

Mr.Corso!!!!!!!!!
you really had to throw that in there right? "LAPD needs to do some more cracking down on illegal immigration" you also are willing to bet that at least one person involved is illegal????? what is your problem? Accidents can happen to anyone, wether your illegal or a US citizen, Accidents can happen at any time. You may incur an accidental injury while at work, on the road, on holidays, or even in the safety of your own...I just hope everyone is okay................

[Hector]

It's in an unincorporated area of the San Fernando Valley, shedevil or whatever your name is. All the junkyards are located here. That is why it looks like that. Thanks for bringing Mexico into this.

[CRG]

Mr. Corso you are an idiot!!! Yes Los Angeles has plenty of hispanics, not all driving without a license or illegal. Take a look around you, we arent going anywhere, so get use to it!

[KC]

Marley....my thoughts exactly.....everyone needs to simmer down...this was an accident .....hope the baby is okay :(

[rebio]

I still don't understand how a report of an awful accident became an issue about illegal immigrants. The issue here is that people, especially an infant, were hurt in this terrible accident. LAPD should crack on ILLEGAL HUMAN BEINGS like Mr. Corso

[jimjim]

Obviously a terrible tragedy and the child is completely innocent. Accidents do not ever just 'happen', there is always a cause. Sometimes there are circumstances that make it very hard to avoid a crash, sometimes not. We all make mistakes, I 'm far from perfect and make my share, but not being able to acknowledge that and learn will do no one any good.