The Coast News Group
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Coaster train on Monday in Del Mar. File photo
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Coaster train on Monday in Del Mar. File photo
CitiesCrimeDel MarNewsRegion

Train collision in Del Mar is third over Labor Day weekend

DEL MAR — A man was hospitalized after being struck by a northbound Coaster train in Del Mar on Monday, marking the third pedestrian train collision in the San Diego region over the Labor Day weekend.

The Del Mar collision took place around 9 p.m. near the intersection of Camino Del Mar and Via de la Valle. The man who was struck was found by San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies with major injuries and taken to the hospital for treatment. 

Earlier that day, around 3:30 p.m., a woman was fatally struck by a Coaster train near Mission Bay in San Diego. The previous day, Saturday, another man was also fatally struck by the Coaster around 3:25 p.m. near the intersection of Pacific Highway and West Washington Street in San Diego. 

All three collisions are currently underway by the Sheriff’s Transit Enforcement Unit. Neither of the decedents’ names have been released. 

Lt. Ryan Wisniewski said the high number of collisions in one weekend is concerning.

“We usually don’t see this many in one weekend. Hopefully we don’t have any more for the foreseeable future,” he said. 

The North County Transit District, the agency operating the railway in North County, called the collisions “tragic” and urged residents to steer clear of the rail line and only cross it at designated areas.

“Unfortunately, over the Labor Day weekend the COASTER experienced three incidents of individuals who were trespassing in NCTD’s right of way being struck by a train. These are tragic events that not only impact families and communities, but also the mental health of railroad employees, passengers, first responders, and others,” said NCTD spokesperson Chris Orlando. “The importance of being aware of your surroundings when you are near the rail line cannot be overstated.”

This story was updated at 1:50 p.m. on Sept. 6 to include a comment from Lt. Ryan Wisniewski.

CORRECTION: A previous version of the story incorrectly stated that the pedestrian hit by the train in Del Mar had died. As of Wednesday afternoon, the person had survived their injuries and was still being treated.