An unusual accident disrupted the morning in East Los Angeles when a car, after colliding with a Metro train, crashed into a King Taco restaurant. The incident occurred just before the bustle of the 10 a.m. business hour at the intersection of Ford Boulevard and East 3rd Street on Friday. KTLA reported witnessing the Metro train as it appeared to "centerpunch" the black SUV, causing it to plow through the barriers and into the eatery, taking down the restaurant's signage in the process. A single patient, believed to be the driver of the SUV, was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The Metro's E line riders experienced some disruptions due to the collision. An account designated for LA Metro Rider Alerts recommended that travelers anticipate delays of up to 10 minutes on the E line due to a "train-auto incident," as detailed in a report by KTLA. Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol provided further insight to NBC Los Angeles, explaining that the driver was attempting a left turn on Ford Boulevard in front of an eastbound Metro E Line train.
No passengers aboard the train were injured during the event, and they were safely evacuated with assistance from the Los Angeles Fire Department. NewsChopper4 coverage showed aerial views of the aftermath with the SUV lodged into the popular food joint. Traffic was affected in the vicinity, with eastbound vehicles on 3rd Street being diverted to southbound Ford Boulevard.
The extent of the driver's injuries remains unconfirmed, but their urgent need for medical attention underscores the violent nature of the crash. This incident serves as a startling interruption to the local rhythm of life, bringing a momentary pause to the familiar scenes that unfold day by day at the busy East Los Angeles intersection. The fallen sign and damaged eatery stand as silent witnesses to the morning's chaos, while the silent Metro train and its uninjured passengers reflect the fortunate escape from what might have been a graver scene, as captured by NewsChopper4 and reported by NBC Los Angeles.
