Bicyclist Fatally Struck By SMART Train In Rohnert Park

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Authorities said a bicyclist was fatally struck by a SMART train Friday morning on the train tracks at Golf Course Drive in Rohnert Park, marking the second fatality involving a SMART train at the rail crossing in as many days. Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Deputy Chief Aaron Johnson said according to on-board video from the train, the bicyclist was riding "with his head down, hood over his head and what appears to be headphones on."

"When the male reached the edge of the tracks, it appears that he notices the train at the last minute and tries to dismount his bicycle to get out of the way," Johnson said. "Unfortunately based on the close proximity of the train, the rider was struck and killed. The train operator saw the cyclist entering the intersection and began sounding the horn."

The incident happened at about 6:42 a.m. as the train was traveling south and the bicyclist, a man is his 60s, was riding "the wrong way," going west on the south sidewalk of Golf Course Drive, Johnson said.

"According to the operator, the horn was sounding until the point of impact," Johnson said. "The investigation also revealed that all the warning devices on the train as well as at the crossing were operational."

Rohnert Park DPS officers — the same personnel who responded to the train fatality Thursday morning — responded Friday morning to find the bicyclist deceased approximately 75 yards south of the intersection.

The man's identity will be confirmed by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the collision along with officials from Rohnert Park DPS and from SMART.

On Thursday, a woman was seen running under the rail crossing arm at 7:51 a.m. at the same rail crossing at Golf Course Drive. Rohnert Park officers arrived on scene to find a deceased female approximately 50 yards north of the intersection. She was later identified by the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office as Jimmie Joy Qualls, a 30-year-old woman from La Grange in Stanislaus County.

• Pedestrian Struck, Killed By SMART Train In Rohnert Park

"These incidents are tragic for everyone involved," Johnson said. "Unfortunately the same Public Safety crew that dealt with yesterday’s incident were on scene for this morning’s incident. ... The Department sends condolences to the family of the cyclist and the staff involved from SMART."

Golf Course Drive was closed at the rail crossing while the fatality was investigated. Trains were running south from Cotati to San Rafael; buses were being used for all stations north of Cotati.

"Buses will serve Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa Downtown, Santa Rosa North, and Sonoma County Airport Stations, with stops at all stations," SMART officials said Friday morning.