Metro Blue Line train strikes vehicle; at least 12 injured

Authorities Tuesday morning were transporting at least a dozen people to hospitals after a Blue Line train struck a vehicle near downtown Los Angeles.

The train struck the vehicle at about 9:55 a.m. in the 300 block of East Washington Boulevard, said Katherine Main of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The sole occupant of the vehicle suffered minor injuries, Main added.

In all, 13 people complained of injuries, Main said. One declined transportation to a hospital, two were in serious condition and 10 were in fair condition.

The Blue Line runs from the 7th Street/Metro Center stop in downtown L.A. to Long Beach.

According to a map of the line, the incident appeared to occur between the Grand and San Pedro Street stations. A Metro spokesman said it occurred near the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Maple Avenue.

There were initially 15- to 20-minute delays for passengers northbound from the Washington station.

[Updated 11:45 a.m. PST March 4: Metro spokesman Paul Gonzales said in a telephone call from the scene that the crash occurred when a man driving a minivan on Maple Avenue ran through a red light and struck a northbound Blue Line train.

“We have 10 confirmed injuries on the train itself, all described as non-life-threatening, mostly described as cuts,” Gonzales said.

He said normal service had resumed after the incident was cleared around 10:50 a.m.

Gonzales said the driver of the minivan was injured and taken to a hospital. He was expected to survive.

The Los Angeles Fire Department earlier said that at least a dozen people were injured in the incident, including two seriously and 10 with non-life threatening injuries.

There were varying times given by officials on when exactly the crash occurred.]

ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com

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