Pedestrian killed after being struck by VTA in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. (BCN/KTVU) - A pedestrian was killed Monday afternoon when a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light-rail vehicle struck them in San Jose.

KTVU's Azenith  Smith says the pedestrian is believed to be a male, in his 20s to 30s. It is still being investigated whether or not the incident was an accident. The body is still underneath the train.

The collision occurred at about 3 p.m. at North Capitol Avenue and Gimelli Way, VTA spokeswoman Brandi Childress said.

VTA said the pedestrian was trespassing and not in the crosswalk at the time of the collision. 
   
The train was headed northbound to Alum Rock Station.

Initial reports said the person was trapped under the vehicle, Childress said.
   
Around 3:15 p.m., Childress said emergency personnel had responded and the surrounding area was blocked off.
   
The tracks are closed between McKee & Penetencia on Capitol Ave. A shuttle bus is taking VTA riders between the Alum Rock and Penitencia Creek stations, where service has been affected by the incident.

The 12 passengers aboard the train were not injured and were transferred onto the shuttle bus to get on another train after being interviewed by investigators.

"It's a horribly tragic situation for everyone involved," said Stacey Hendler Ross, a VTA spokeswoman. "For the operator who tried to stop on the impact and was traumatized, to the person who was hit by the train. It's a terrible situation. Unfortunately it's hard to completely avoid that kind of thing. The tracks are open." 

Witnesses said the train operator was visibly distraught. VTA said they did not know how fast the train was going. They typical speed is 35 miles per hour. 

Residual delays are expected. Ross was not able to provide an estimate on when service on the
light-rail line will be restored.