SMPD are investigating a deadly Friday afternoon collision.
The police are investigating a fatal traffic collision involving a city transit bus that left a pedestrian dead Friday afternoon near the Santa Monica Pier.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, where the pedestrian was pronounced deceased. Investigators have not yet released the identity of the victim, pending notification of next of kin.
The Santa Monica Police Department has closed the immediate intersection to conduct a full traffic reconstruction investigation, according to an SMPD social media alert. Officers confirmed that a Metro LA Line 33 bus was the vehicle involved in the collision, though they have not yet disclosed what factors led to the crash. It remains unclear if any passengers were aboard the transit line at the time.
Metro LA released this statement on the incident: “A westbound Metro 33 Line Bus, pulling away from the bus stop at Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, made contact with a pedestrian, resulting in a fatality. Preliminary reports indicate the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and positioned themself under the bus as it pulled away. Metro extends its deepest sympathies to the person’s family and friends and thanks the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments for their prompt response. The Santa Monica Police Department is leading the investigation.”
In the video from the scene, a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus is near the Metro LA bus, but Metro has confirmed that the 33 bus was involved in the accident, not the Big Blue Bus, which seems to have been turning after the Metro LA Bus.
Commuters and motorists are advised to seek alternate routes as delays are expected to persist throughout the evening.
