S
~SYKO~
A commuter train smashed into an SUV left on the tracks by a suicidal
man early Wednesday, sending the train careening off the rails in a
wreck that killed 10 people and injured about 200, authorities said.
Dozens of the injured were in critical condition.
After the Metrolink train hit the SUV, it derailed and crashed with
another train going in the opposite direction. Both trains landed on
their sides, sending passengers tumbling down the aisles, authorities
said.
The SUV driver changed his mind about suicide and left the vehicle
before it was hit, Police Chief Randy Adams said. The man will be
charged with homicide, he said.
``This whole incident was started by a deranged individual that was
suicidal,'' Adams told a news conference at the scene of mangled
railcars in the suburb north of downtown Los Angeles. ``I think his
intent at that time was to take his own life but changed his mind
prior to the train actually striking this vehicle.''
The man, identified as Juan Manuel Alvarez, 26, of Compton, stood by
as the train hit the SUV, Adams said. Alvarez had also tried to slash
his wrists and stabbed himself, authorities said.
``There is no terrorism or terrorist act involved,'' Adams said.
It was the worst rail accident in the United States since March 15,
1999, when an Amtrak train hit a truck and derailed near Bourbonnais,
Ill., killing 11 people and injuring more than 100.
man early Wednesday, sending the train careening off the rails in a
wreck that killed 10 people and injured about 200, authorities said.
Dozens of the injured were in critical condition.
After the Metrolink train hit the SUV, it derailed and crashed with
another train going in the opposite direction. Both trains landed on
their sides, sending passengers tumbling down the aisles, authorities
said.
The SUV driver changed his mind about suicide and left the vehicle
before it was hit, Police Chief Randy Adams said. The man will be
charged with homicide, he said.
``This whole incident was started by a deranged individual that was
suicidal,'' Adams told a news conference at the scene of mangled
railcars in the suburb north of downtown Los Angeles. ``I think his
intent at that time was to take his own life but changed his mind
prior to the train actually striking this vehicle.''
The man, identified as Juan Manuel Alvarez, 26, of Compton, stood by
as the train hit the SUV, Adams said. Alvarez had also tried to slash
his wrists and stabbed himself, authorities said.
``There is no terrorism or terrorist act involved,'' Adams said.
It was the worst rail accident in the United States since March 15,
1999, when an Amtrak train hit a truck and derailed near Bourbonnais,
Ill., killing 11 people and injuring more than 100.
.