Video shows SF Muni driver appearing to fall asleep before train crash
Sleeping Muni driver crashes into oncoming train
Video first obtained by @NorcalBodycam showed the moments a Muni driver dozed off at the wheel and collided with an oncoming train.
SAN FRANCISCO - Video appears to show a San Francisco Muni driver dozing off behind the wheel moments before colliding with an oncoming train.
The video
What we know:
Video first obtained by @NorCalBodycam shows the July 31 crash. At about 8:32 a.m., the driver can be seen scratching his head before his hand falls to his side and he appears to fall asleep over roughly 20 seconds.
The driver is then jolted awake when the light rail train collides with another oncoming train. The impact shattered the front windshield.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency confirmed the collision involved two L Taraval trains at 47th Avenue and Wawona Street.
Two passengers were aboard the train at the time of the crash and got off after it came to a stop. No injuries were reported.
Speeding Muni light rail train with sleeping driver behind the wheel
Muni passengers screamed as they were jolted, some falling from their seats, as the light rail train sped along while the driver slept.
Fatigue cited as cause
What they're saying:
The SFMTA said its initial determination is that operator error caused by fatigue led to the collision.
"This type of incident is simply unacceptable," said SFMTA Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum. "The safety of our passengers and operators is our most important priority, and we are grateful that no one was injured. When the investigation is completed, we will move quickly to take appropriate action based on the final determination."
The operator was placed on non-driving status while the investigation continues. It was not immediately clear how fast the train was traveling at the time of the crash.
Previous fatigue-related Muni incident
The crash is not the first time a Muni operator has fallen asleep while driving.
On Sept. 24, 2025, the operator of an N Judah light rail train traveling toward downtown San Francisco fell asleep as the train accelerated through a curve, jostling riders from side to side.
The operator woke up and brought the train to a stop, but not before it skipped a scheduled stop.
The train was traveling about 50 mph while navigating the curve, far above the agency’s average operating speed of about 8 to 10 mph.
The SFMTA said that incident was also caused by operator fatigue.
The Source: This story was written based on information from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and @NorCalBodycam on Instagram.