Pedestrian trying to beat train killed in San Leandro

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Feb 8, 2008

SAN LEANDRO -- A pedestrian, who a witness said was trying to race across the tracks, was struck and killed by a northbound Capitol Corridor train on Hesperian Boulevard last night, police said.

The victim, a black male adult whose identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin, was running northbound on the east side of Hesperian. He tried to cross the tracks at the intersection of Hesperian and Springlake Drive just after 8 p.m., San Leandro police said.

The Capitol Corridor train traveling at about 76 mph slammed into the victim, police said.

A witness told police the man was running and crossed the tracks in front of the train although the crossing arms were down and lights were flashing and an alarm sounding.

The Amtrak train sounded its horn prior to and during the incident, Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Romero said.

The train was delayed for an hour and 46 minutes, while the incident was investigated, Romero said.