Friday, May 1, 2015

PEDESTRIAN KILLING BY METRO TRAIN HIGHLIGHTS SAFETY CONCERNS, HOWEVER OTHERS FEEL THAT TRAINS ARE SAFE IF PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION TO THE CROSSINGS.





MAY 1, 2015

ST. PAUL, MN

A fatal pedestrian accident involving a light rail train Thursday is one of dozens of accidents on the Green Line since Metro Transit starting running trains on the 11-mile stretch.

Lynne Thomas, a Minnesota Senate legislative assistant, was killed while heading to work after investigators say she walked in front of a moving train at the intersection of Snelling and University avenues.

Metro Transit spokesperson Howie Padilla said the investigation into what exactly happened is ongoing.

A total of 41 accidents have happened since April 2014 when Metro Transit started testing the Green Line from St. Paul to Minneapolis, Padilla said. 34 involved vehicle accidents, but a large majority of those involved vehicles making illegal turns, he said.

Seven accidents involved pedestrians, including two fatalities. The first was shortly after the Green Line officially opened in June. Some of the vehicle accidents happened while the trains were testing the routes between the Twin Cities.

"It was the most tragic thing I've seen and I'll never forget it," said Cryscal Johnson

Johnson was standing on the light rail platform near Snelling and University in St. Paul Thursday morning when it happened.

"Even though she wasn't looking, something has to be done. I mean it was tragic," she said.

Some of the pedestrians KARE 11 spoke to believe the area around Snelling and University is too dangerous.

"I think the trains are going too fast, they're going too fast," said transit passenger Jessica Cender.

But many riders felt it was safe as long as you paid attention.

"Obviously if you're paying attention and crossing when you're supposed to cross, I don't feel it's unsafe," said transit passenger Ashley Tilley.

Padilla said Metro Transit is constantly evaluating safety and how to improve it. He said that would continue.

Meanwhile, members of the state legislature paused for a moment of silence after hearing the news Thursday morning. Thomas was a beloved aide who had worked at the capitol for nearly 30 years.

Gov. Mark Dayton released a statement regarding Thomas' death saying, "My heart goes out to the family and friends of Lynne Thomas for their sudden and tragic loss. I also extend my deepest condolences to all of the Senators and staff in the Minnesota Senate family."


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ST. PAUL, Minn. - A longtime Minnesota Senate staffer has died from her injuries after a collision with a Metro Transit LRT train Thursday morning.

The St. Paul Fire department first tweeted about the incident about 7:25 a.m., saying that traffic was blocked at the intersection of Snelling and University avenues. Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla says the woman was walking southbound through the intersection when she was struck by the train. Metro Transit Police and first responders from the St. Paul Fire Department were quickly on the scene and performed CPR until the victim was transported to nearby Regions Hospital, where the woman later died.

According to the DFL Senate office, the woman has been identified as Lynne M. Thomas, an employee at the office for 28 years. Thomas started on Jan. 5, 1987 and worked as a legislative assistant in the office of council, research and fiscal analysis.

The Senate had a brief recess Thursday to remember her.

Gov. Mark Dayton released a statement regarding Thomas' death saying, "My heart goes out to the family and friends of Lynne Thomas for their sudden and tragic loss. I also extend my deepest condolences to all of the Senators and staff in the Minnesota Senate family."

Green Line traffic was shut down for a time and then began limited service as accident reconstruction specialists processed the scene. Full service resumed around 8:30 a.m. but Padilla warned it would take a while for the system to catch up and all trains to be back on time.

Source: http://www.kare11.com