PHOENIX — A crash involving a light rail train in Phoenix left one person dead and multiple others injured early Tuesday morning.
The crash occurred around 5 a.m. near Central Avenue and Indian School Road.
Video from the scene showed a light rail train and a pickup truck, both with extensive damage. The impact of the crash caused the train to derail, Valley Metro officials say.
See video from the scene in the video player below:
According to Phoenix Fire Department officials, one person was pronounced dead at the scene. Phoenix police later identified the victim as 28-year-old Mario Dircio-Castrejon.
Dircio-Castrejon was reportedly driving the vehicle that hit the light rail train. Phoenix police believe that Dircio-Castrejon was driving eastbound on Indian School Road when he ran a red light at Central Avenue, hitting the southbound train.
Six other people were treated, including four people who were taken to hospitals. Two of the patients who were transported are said to be in critical condition, according to Phoenix Fire officials.
Traffic was blocked in the area after the collision, and Valley Metro says public transit was also impacted by the crash. They posted on X Tuesday morning, saying, "Service Alert: Due to a collision at Indian School/Central Ave, B line trains cannot travel between the Central Ave/Camelback and Thomas/Central Ave stations. At this time we recommend riders use bus route 0 to travel between these stations."
Valley Metro shared a statement later on Tuesday, saying in part that trains were still unable to travel between Central Avenue and Camelback Road, as well as the Thomas Road and Central Avenue stations.
A shuttle bus service was also established to transport riders between the impacted stations.
Service was restored fully early Wednesday morning, according to an X update from Valley Metro around 3 a.m.
Valley Metro sent a new statement following the light rail service restoration.
Read the full statement below:
"Light rail service has resumed along the B Line between Central Ave/Camelback and Thomas/Central Ave stations as of 3 a.m. this morning, following yesterday morning's collision at Indian School Road and Central Avenue.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our operations, safety, maintenance, and transportation teams who worked around the clock to safely restore service. We also thank our partners at City of Phoenix Police, Fire and Public Transit Department as well as our contractor for their collaboration throughout this recovery effort. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our riders during this time.
We are pleased to have full service restored in time to help riders ring in the New Year safely. In partnership with Molson Coors, free bus, light rail, streetcar and paratransit rides begin at 7 p.m. tonight through 2 a.m. We encourage everyone to celebrate safely and take advantage of this service. "
