Sad news from South LA, where a bike rider has died following a collision with the Expo Line.
KTLA-5 initially reported last night that two pedestrians were struck by a train in University Park east of USC, around 9 pm Tuesday. The story was later amended to say one of the victims had a bicycle.
Now LA West Media has reported that one victim has died after being transported to a hospital, while the other victim is in critical condition.
Neither has been publicly identified at this time.
According to the report, three males were riding their bikes on Jefferson Blvd near Flower Street, when they attempted to cross the Expo Line tracks despite an approaching train.
The first rider made it. The other two were hit by the empty Expo train, which was on a test run.
This is one more heartbreaking reminder to never attempt to cross train tracks after the warning alarms sound or the gates close.
Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD at 323/421-2500.
This is the sixth bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the second in Los Angeles County. The other LA County death occurred in South LA, as well.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones. And prayers and best wishes for the recovery of the second victim.
Our prayers go up for the family and friends of the victim, and for the injured rider.
I cross those tracks while cycling – each morning, but have a different route in the afternoon.
An incredibly dangerous intersection to say the least.
Additionally there’s a bottleneck for cyclists on the Eastbound side that forces bikes into the lane just after the tracks. Pedestrians too sometimes.
Motorists hate it, since they’ve just done a quarter mile stretch of open road, have gained lots of speed, then have to brake for bikes until the road widens again just a few hundred feet up.
Us cyclists are swimming with the sharks each time we head out to work or do a few errands. Be alert. Be defensive. Be smart.
Why these guys tried to out run a train is beyond me, but it’s very sad to think that someone died and families are hurting.