Motorist, 82, Killed in Simi Train Collision

An 82-year-old man was killed Wednesday evening when he drove his car around a railroad crossing arm in Simi Valley and was struck by a Metrolink passenger train traveling at nearly 80 mph, authorities said.

The collision occurred at 5:24 p.m. at Los Angeles Avenue and Sycamore Drive, about four miles west of the Simi Valley train station, where several dozen passengers had gotten off moments earlier.

The train, which was carrying 150 people, had originated at Los Angeles’ Union Station and was headed to Moorpark before continuing on to Camarillo and Oxnard, officials said.

None of the passengers on the commuter train was injured, but Jean Potter, 56, of Simi Valley suffered minor cuts when her Ford Mustang was struck by the victim’s car, authorities said.

The man who died in the collision was identified as Francisco Aranda of Simi Valley.

According to police and train officials, Aranda was driving a white Chevrolet Lumina north on Sycamore Drive when he attempted to drive across the tracks on Los Angeles Avenue.

“It appears he went around or under a crossing gate that was down and was struck,” said Sharon Gavin, a Metrolink spokeswoman.

At the time of the collision, arms on both sides of the tracks were down, red warning lights were flashing, and the train’s horn had sounded, Gavin said. .

The injured woman was treated and released from Simi Valley Hospital, authorities said.