VTA cracking down on crossing scofflaws after 14-year-old girl hit by train

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - VTA and police are cracking down on scofflaws at a light rail crossing in the South Bay after two people were hit by trains this summer, including a 14-year-old girl.

Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies on Tuesday will be citing car, bikes, and pedestrians if they ignore traffic lights, safety warnings, and gates at the at the Stokes Avenue light rail crossing. 

That's where 14-year-old Michelle Espinoza was hit by on July 10. She is now slowly recovering from numerous injuries that include a fractured skull and broken ribs. Her family is still trying to figure how this happened.

Authorities say Michelle was riding her bike and went around the crossing barriers, and ended up getting hit by a train was making its way through the intersection.

"All we know is that we're thankful she's alive and she's fighting. She's very strong," her sister Eliana Espinoza said. 

VTA spokeswoman Holly Perez said that everyone needs to pay attention and not skirt the signs. 
"Often times, you may not see or hear a bus coming," she said. "So it's important you look both directions."

Michelle's family says a good Samaritan pulled her off the track and gave her CPR.

They don't know who that person is, but they want to thank them for their help.

The VTA says the crackdown is part of the agency's annual safety campaign every September.

They say light rail operators keep seeing people distracted by their phones or simply ignoring the lights and crossing arms at the tracks. That is against the law. 

A GoFundMe has been set up for Michelle.