A tragic accident occurred in Moorpark on Wednesday afternoon when a Metrolink train collided with a semitruck, resulting in the death of the truck driver and injuring one passenger on the train. The incident took place around 2:15 p.m. at a crossing located on private farmland near the intersection of Los Angeles Avenue and Montair Drive.
According to a spokesperson from Metrolink, the truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The train was carrying 11 passengers at the time, and one of them was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The condition of the injured passenger has not been disclosed.
The collision was severe enough to push a section of the truck over one-third of a mile down the tracks. Fortunately, all five train cars and the engine remained upright and on the tracks after the impact.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Train crossings in this agricultural area typically have stop signs and warnings for drivers to look both ways before proceeding. In the aftermath, Metrolink services to Ventura East Station were disrupted, with trains only reaching as far as Moorpark. The company is working to provide alternative transportation options and Uber vouchers to affected passengers.
This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about safety at train crossings, particularly in rural areas where agricultural vehicles frequently cross tracks.