Commuter Train Collides With Car Attempting To Cross Tracks Near LA, Kills Man And Young Niece

COVINA, Calif. (AP) _ A commuter train collided with a car attempting to cross its tracks on Sunday, killing the driver and his 10-year-old niece, authorities said. <br/><br/>The double-decker Metrolink

Sunday, June 17th 2007, 10:13 pm

By: News On 6

COVINA, Calif. (AP) _ A commuter train collided with a car attempting to cross its tracks on Sunday, killing the driver and his 10-year-old niece, authorities said.

The double-decker Metrolink train with 161 people aboard was traveling about 40 mph when it struck the sedan 25 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, said Covina police Sgt. John Curley.

Earl Brown, 53, and his niece were declared dead at the scene. Brown's 12-year-old was airlifted to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles with head injuries, Curley said. The names of the two younger victims were not immediately released.

No one was seriously injured on the train, which was headed from downtown Los Angeles to Riverside, Curley said.

There was no damage to the railroad crossing arm, authorities said. They did not know whether the man attempted to drive around the arm or whether the arm or other guard equipment was malfunctioning.

Passengers remained on the train for about two hours while investigators examined the wreckage and interviewed witnesses.