Man Walking on Light Rail Tracks Killed by Train

A 51-year-old Rancho Cordova resident was walking along the light rail tracks in Rosemont and was struck and killed by a train just before 10 p.m. Sunday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

David Wayne Johnson was walking in the center of the tracks and was hit by a westbound train leaving the Tiber light rail station, CHP spokesman Jasper Begay said.

"The operator saw the subject in the tracks, activated the emergency horn and braking system, but couldn't stop in time before hitting the pedestrian," Begay said in a phone interview.

The accident occurred near Folsom Boulevard and La Riviera Drive.

Johnson died at the scene, Begay said. He noted the train was traveling about 45 miles per hour.

Sacramento Regional Transit spokeswoman Alane Masui was hesitant to refer to the man as a pedestrian, as he was walking along an "established right of way" for the trains.

She put the speed of the train at closer to 40 miles per hour, and said the maximum speed for trains in that area is 55 miles per hour. Masui said at 40 miles per hour, it takes the trains 200 feet to stop using the emergency brake.

Masui said Sacramento Regional Transit advises against walking on the light rail tracks.