Just after midnight Wednesday, a WMATA maintenance vehicle on the Silver Line collided with a stationary train at Metro Center, injuring eleven people and shutting down one of the system's busiest transfer points. The overnight crash rippled straight into the morning rush, as crews scrambled to clear the tracks and check for damage. Riders reported packed platforms, long waits, and trains getting held or rerouted through downtown.
According to FOX 5 DC, Metro said the crash happened shortly after midnight and that Silver Line service was cut back to run only between Ashburn and Clarendon while emergency response and cleanup were underway. Riders heading to New Carrollton or Downtown Largo were told to jump to the Orange Line to continue toward the core. The agency warned of significant delays as trains were routed onto a single track through the affected area.
Service Impacts Through Downtown
Metro's online service alerts showed multiple advisories early Wednesday and flagged single-tracking between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, a move that cuts capacity through downtown and stretches travel times, according to WMATA. Metro Center reopened at about 5:15 a.m., but riders were still dealing with backups as trains slowly returned to normal spacing. Officials urged commuters to check real-time updates and build in extra time for their trips.
Injuries And Investigation
FOX 5 DC reported that WMATA said eleven people were injured in the collision, and that the cause remains under investigation. Metro has not released information on how serious the injuries are or whether any of those hurt were taken to the hospital. Agency representatives said investigators will review procedures and share more details once they know what went wrong.
Safety Context
The incident lands in the middle of ongoing scrutiny of how Metro protects roadway workers and oversees maintenance activity on the tracks. An audit highlighted by The Washington Post and findings from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission have documented near-misses, training issues, and inconsistent communication that regulators have pressed WMATA to address. Safety watchdog reports note that close calls involving work crews are not uncommon, and advocates say any crash that involves maintenance equipment on the right-of-way typically triggers both internal and external reviews.
What Riders Should Expect
Commuters can expect lingering delays and occasional single-tracking while inspections and any follow-up track work are wrapped up. Metro advised riders to monitor MetroAlerts or MetroPulse for current information, according to WMATA. Those traveling toward New Carrollton or Downtown Largo were directed to use the Orange Line while Silver Line trains remained constrained downtown. Transit officials said further service changes and any safety findings will be posted as the investigation moves forward.
WMATA said it will release additional information as investigators determine what happened. This story will be updated when Metro publishes a full incident summary or provides further details.
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