Train Kills Driver Who Parked on Tracks
Monday, May 21, 2007
By CHRISTINA ALMEIDA, Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES —
A man seen arguing with his girlfriend in their car was killed Monday after parking the vehicle in the path of a commuter train, authorities said. The girlfriend survived in what police suspect was an attempted murder-suicide.The man drove the car in front of a group of other vehicles stopped at a crossing in the San Fernando Valley neighborhood of Sunland, Officer Mike Lopez said.
The driver, who witnesses said was arguing with his girlfriend, parked the car on the tracks moments before a northbound Metrolink train crossed the road, Lopez said.
The train hit the rear passenger side of the car, spinning it around and ejecting the driver. The girlfriend, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to a hospital and later upgraded to stable condition, Lopez said.
Officials earlier said they believed the man was trying to kill his girlfriend but fled the car before the train hit, only to be crushed by the car. They later revised their account because of new information.
There were no injuries on the train, which carried 132 passengers and crew members, said Denise Tyrrell, a Metrolink spokeswoman. The train had superficial damage.
"The train to your car is like your car to a soda pop can. It's just not going to be a fair fight," Tyrrell said.
