Six injured as Metro train hits car in downtown L.A.

Six people were injured Saturday afternoon when their car was struck by a Metro light-rail train in downtown Los Angeles, police said.

A witness saw the Mercedes-Benz, which appeared to be new and still bore dealer plates, run a red light about 4:20 p.m. at Venice Boulevard and Flower Street, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Traffic division.

The car was struck by a Metro train on a test run on the not-yet-opened Expo Line.

All six occupants in the Mercedes were taken to local medical facilities with minor injuries, the spokeswoman said.

The train operator suffered only minor abrasions.

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-- Jason Felch