First crash on the Expo Line? *

See updates below

The Los Angeles Fire Department's news feed this morning noted a car-vs-Metro train collision on South Hoover Street. Unless there's a gypsy train operating out there today, this can only mean one thing: the Expo Line has in one sense lost its virginity. The train did not have any passengers aboard. It is scheduled to open to Metro riders for the first time on April 28.

*Auto vs. Metro Rail Train* 3614 S Hoover Bl; MAP 674-B1; FS 15; Single auto vs train w/ NO pssngrs. 1 pt only w/ minor inj to be evaluated. NFD; Ch:7,12 @ 10:17 AM -Matt Spence###

Update: A reader recalls a crash during testing a couple of weeks ago. Regarding today's [now-second] accident, it looks like a left-turn gone bad. Annenberg TV on the USC campus covered:

"Trains will be passing constantly in the next two weeks...We want people to be aware of the trains, and the signals, and make sure they turn when they are supposed to turn," said [Metro's Luis] Inzunza. "Be careful, don't text when you drive. One small distraction and this is what is going to happen."

"When a train impacts with a car, the car always looses," Inzunza said.

Further update: Today's crash may actually have been the third with an Expo Line train during testing, a county official says.

By the way, Metro is alerting drivers in the Valley well ahead that the new northbound Orange Line busway extension will be tested in Woodland Hills, Canoga Park and Northridge starting next week. The Orange Line's startup in the Valley several years ago led to numerous traffic accidents.

LA Observed file photo: Future Expo Line right-of-way in Palms.