A tragic accident occurred in Ventura County Wednesday afternoon when a Metrolink train collided with a semi-truck, resulting in the death of the truck's driver and minor injuries to at least one train passenger, as confirmed by multiple sources.
According to CBS News Los Angeles, the crash happened at approximately 2:30 p.m. at a private crossing along Los Angeles Avenue, while KTLA reported the incident at around 2:15 p.m. at a private crossing near Los Angeles Avenue and Montair Drive; the California Highway Patrol noted the driver was ejected from the semi truck and subsequently died without being named and Metrolink announced one of the 17 passengers on board suffered a minor injury, yet despite the presence of about a dozen ambulances no one required hospitalization.
The collision, which involved Metrolink's Ventura County Line train 118, had 17 passengers and two crew members aboard, and all vehicles stayed upright during and after the crash, KTLA added. Officers have advised drivers to anticipate delays on State Route 118, due to ongoing emergency responses and the Ventura County Fire Department, with about 45 personnel on site, played a crucial role in the emergency operations following the collision.
Train service disruptions were inevitable, with Metrolink trains ending their Moorpark-station routes prematurely, affecting subsequent trains, Metrolink officials said, and as a result, some riders found their routes impacted and were provided with alternative buses to reach their destinations, as the wreckage continued to obstruct the tracks. CBS News Los Angeles reported this is not an isolated incident, with a similar collision occurring in 2023 when an Amtrak train derailed after colliding with an irrigation truck in the same area.
As investigators from the Moorpark Police Department and the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office continue to unravel the details surrounding the crash, the reasons behind the truck's presence on the tracks remain unknown. "The driver of the semi-truck has tragically died from injuries sustained in the crash," posted the Ventura County Fire Department on their social media, shedding light on the fatalities sustained as per a post by the VCFD PIO's X.
#MontairIncident – VCFD firefighters remain on scene following a fatal Metrolink train vs. semi-truck collision near Moorpark. The driver of the semi-truck has tragically died from injuries sustained in the crash. Metrolink train 118 was traveling southbound with 17 passengers… pic.twitter.com/36DHJ7YMw7
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) June 25, 2025
