Metrolink Crash: Truck Driver Arrested on Felony Hit-and-Run Charge

KABC-TV(OXNARD, Calif.) — The driver whose truck was involved in a crash with a Southern California Metrolink commuter train that left at least 28 people injured has been arrested on a felony hit-and-run charge, police said Tuesday night.

The driver was identified as Jose Alejandro Sanchez Ramirez, who had a valid commercial driver’s license from Arizona, Oxnard Police Department Assistant Police Chief Jason Benites said.

Ramirez fled the scene but was found uninjured 1.6 miles away from the accident scene, and was not in the truck at the time of the collision, Benites said.

Police originally said the driver was arrested, but Benites said later Tuesday he had been stopped but was not under arrest. Tuesday evening, however, charges were announced.

Ramirez, 54, was driving a produce truck when he turned right onto the tracks, eventually getting stuck on the tracks, Benites said. Minutes after the crash, Benites said, an officer found the driver and said he looked disoriented.

The driver was taken to a hospital for observation.

Others injured included people with head trauma and neck and back injuries who were taken to a hospital.

Police said at least four people were critically injured, including the engineer. The conductor and another crew member were injured, treated and released from the hospital, officials said.

The train was heading towards downtown Los Angeles when it crashed early Tuesday morning after striking the truck in the rail crossing.

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