So. California commuter rail system faces 135 claims in fatal crash

By Jim Greene

Published on August 02, 2005

Complainants had six months to file in the case of a Metrolink train that crashed into an SUV abandoned on the tracks of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) by Juan Alvarez. The collision killed 11 and injured nearly 200. The southbound train slammed into a parked freight train and was then forced into the path of a northbound train. The Metrolink system serves commuters from southern Ventura County to northern San Diego County.

Fifteen of the claims have resulted in pending lawsuits, and eight to 10 others are in settlement talks. Suits were filed against the MTA, owners of the track, and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, operators of the train.

A legal expert not related to the case said liability of the two agencies might be difficult to establish, since the incident resulted from a criminal act allegedly committed by Alvarez, who pled not guilty to 11 counts of murder. According to police reports, he admitted parking on the tracks in order to commit suicide, then changing his mind and abandoning his vehicle.

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