Pedestrian Hit, Killed By SMART Train In Santa Rosa

SANTA ROSA, CA — A male pedestrian was struck and killed by a SMART train Friday afternoon in Santa Rosa in what appeared to be a suicide, according to Santa Rosa police. The fatal collision was reported at 2:55 p.m. on the tracks near San Miguel Avenue in northwest Santa Rosa. City of Santa Rosa police and firefighters responded and found a male deceased on the tracks, according to a news released from SRPD Sgt. Dan Hackett.

Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transit reported via Twitter at 3:09 p.m. that a pedestrian had been struck, causing the cancellation of two southbound trains that were scheduled to depart Santa Rosa Friday afternoon.

This is the fourth incident since June 27 involving a person being fatally struck by a SMART train in Sonoma County. Two fatalities were in Rohnert Park; the other was just outside Rohnert Park city limits and was suspected to be a suicide.

Here is a Santa Rosa Police Department statement about Friday's fatality:

"Officers began their investigation and learned that the male was loitering near the tracks prior to the train coming through the intersection. Witnesses reported seeing the crossing arms down that block the intersection when a train is approaching as well as hearing the train sound its horn several times. As the train continued south through the intersection, the male moved in front of the train. The investigation also revealed that all the warning devices on the train, as well as the crossing, were operational.

"Officers were able to view the onboard video footage of the incident which corroborated the statements by the witnesses. Based upon the investigation it appears that this was a suicide."

The Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office has begun trying to identity the deceased man.

The tracks were closed as the police investigation was conducted, and affected passengers were bused between the Santa Rosa North and Sonoma County airport stations.

The northbound 3:59 train with service to Santa Rosa North was on time, SMART said, but two northbound trains scheduled for 4:29 p.m. and 4:59 p.m. Friday were canceled because of the incident.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Caregiver Facing Charges ID'd In Suspected Suicide By SMART Train
• Bicyclist Fatally Struck By SMART Train In Rohnert Park
• Pedestrian Struck, Killed By SMART Train In Rohnert Park

Editor's Note: If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, 24 hours a day/7 days a week.