An unfortunate incident involving a Metro bus near the Santa Monica Pier on Friday afternoon resulted in the death of one pedestrian. Emergency services quickly arrived at the location, leading to the closure of one of the city’s busiest intersections.
The tragic event occurred around 2 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, as per the Santa Monica Police Department.
While both the Metrobus and the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus were part of the investigation, authorities confirmed that it was indeed the Metrobus that fatally struck the pedestrian, as reported by local news.
Witnesses provided shocking details, stating they saw the victim either walking directly in front of the bus or possibly falling under it moments before the collision, according to accounts shared with local media outlets.
Police established a command post as they worked to piece together the events leading up to the accident. There seems to be some uncertainty, though; investigators are still trying to clarify the details of how it all happened.
In a statement later released by LA Metro, they described that a westbound Metro 33 bus had departed from a stop at the intersection and unfortunately struck the pedestrian, leading to this tragic outcome. They noted that preliminary reports suggest the pedestrian was not in the crosswalk when the bus departed.
LA Metro expressed their condolences to the victim’s family and appreciated the quick response from the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments, who are currently handling the investigation.
Traffic in the area experienced significant delays as a result of the incident. Main Street remained closed between Ocean Park Boulevard and Hollister Avenue, and motorists were advised to steer clear of the region due to ongoing police presence and road closures. At this point, it remains unclear when the intersection might reopen.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and further details are awaited.
