Man struck, killed by Metrolink train

A young man was struck and killed by a Metrolink train as he crossed the tracks in East Los Angeles Friday night, authorities said.

The man, identified by coroner’s officials as 24-year-old Ismael Viramontes, a Los Angeles resident, was struck by an eastbound train just before 9 p.m., said Metrolink spokesman Jeff Lustgarten. He was declared dead at the scene.

The incident occurred about one mile west of the Cal State L.A. Metrolink station, in an area adjacent to the El Monte Busway and the 10 Freeway.

“It wasn’t an accessible area, it wasn’t at a crossing or near a crossing,” said Lustgarten.

About 240 passengers on the train, which was heading to San Bernardino, were transferred via bus bridge to the El Monte station, where train service continued east.

The track was out of service for nearly four hours as authorities investigated, and bus bridges rerouted passengers in both directions to continue service, with some passengers experiencing up to a one- to two-hour delay, Lustgarten said.

It was not immediately clear why Viramontes was on the tracks, or whether he heard the train approaching.

ALSO:

Body found stuffed inside suitcase in Glendale is identified

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck says he wants a second term

Deadly L.A.-area meningitis outbreak raises concerns in gay community

christine.maiduc@latimes.com