Semi-tractor driver Jose Avila of Fillmore killed after train collision in Moorpark Wednesday
Andrew Gillies
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – The 23-year-old driver of a semi-tractor involved in a collision with a southbound Metrolink train died Wednesday.
The identity of the driver has been confirmed as Jose Avila of Fillmore stated a press release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office on Friday.
On June 25, around 2:14 p.m. emergency personnel were dispatched to a traffic collision on the Union Pacific Rail Line near Montair Drive shared the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators learned that a semi-tractor was towing two trailers of lemons southbound from a privately owned ranch when the collision occurred with the eastbound Metrolink train shared the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver of the semi-tractor, 23-year-old Jose Avila of Fillmore, was ejected by the collision and despite life-saving attempts by nearby workers and responding deputies, he was declared dead at the scene explained the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Ventura County Fire Department, only minor injuries were reported for those onboard Metrolink train 118 which had 17 passengers and two crew members at the time of the collision.
All five train cars remained upright during the response and the exact cause remains under investigation added the Ventura County Fire Department.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact Deputy Manley with the Moorpark Police Traffic Bureau at 805-532-2700.
Passengers on the train were taken by bus to the Moorpark Metrolink Station and rail service between Moorpark and Camarillo has been shut down during the response explained a spokesperson on behalf of Metrolink.
Train service to Los Angeles Thursday morning will originate in Moorpark noted Metrolink.
