Sections of Colorado Ave and 7th Streets were closed on Saturday afternoon after a collision between an E-Line Metro train and car.
The crash was the first of the year in the downtown area — along Colorado Ave, between Lincoln Blvd and 5th Street — that sees a number of incidents every year. Illegal left turns have caused many accidents as have cars running red lights.
While no information is available on this collision yet, this marks the fifth collision between an E-Line Metro train and a civilian vehicle along Colorado Ave in eight months. Most recently, a motor vehicle collided with a Metro train traveling east along Colorado Ave at the 11th Street intersection amidst busy rush hour traffic on January 12. According to Santa Monica Police Department, that vehicle failed to stop at the red light and collided with the train, then fled the scene before PD arrived.
Then last year, on June 23rd, an Expo train came in contact with a car making an illegal left turn at the 14th Street and Colorado Ave crossing. Within one week’s time, on June 28th, another illegal left turn from a motorist resulted in an accident at 6th Street and Colorado Ave. On September 23rd, the crossing of 7th Street and Colorado Ave was host to another train/car accident.
The train itself will now be have to be taken out of service and throughly checked for any indications of potential damage as is standard procedure in incidents like this.
Talking to the Daily Press in November, Metro Media Relations Manager Jose Ubaldo said that several efforts to improve rail visibility have been made. The organization has installed special train signals, separate from regular traffic signals, to “reduce confusion for motorists.” Active “train coming” warning signs were also added, which activate when trains approach an intersection, as well as “no trespassing” and “look both ways” signs to reinforce both positive motorist and pedestrian habits.
matt@smdp.com
