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."
//----------------//
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