Police Tuesday identified a 61-year-old motorist who was killed in a collision with a Metrolink train about a mile from his Santa Ana home.
Juan Jose Espinoza Padilla’s Toyota Avalon was pushed about 600 feet down the tracks after a northbound train slammed into it about 5:30 p.m. Monday, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, who rescued his dog from the back seat of the crumpled sedan.
The pit bull, named Pecas, was taken to a veterinary hospital in Garden Grove and treated overnight for minor cuts, then released to the victim’s family Tuesday, Bertagna said.
A witness told police the motorist had “inched up to the tracks” at 700 S. Grand Ave., which is inside the crossing gates, Bertagna said.
“The southbound train passes him and, according to the witness from across the street, he goes, apparently not knowing about a northbound train,” Bertagna said.
None of the 219 passengers aboard the Los Angeles-bound OC Line train were injured, authorities said.