Arizona man sentenced to jail time for causing deadly Metrolink train derailment in Oxnard
OXNARD, Calif. (FOX 11) - An Arizona truck driver that pled guilty to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for the deadly 2015 Metrolink train derailment has been sentenced to three years probation and 30 days in Ventura County Jail.
Investigators say Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez, 58, of Yuma, Arizona, was driving southbound on Rice Avenue approaching 5th Street in Oxnard at about 5:30 a.m. when he made a right turn before reaching the intersection and onto the nearby railroad tracks. He kept driving while towing a trailer until his truck became stuck on the tracks.
Officials say Sanchez-Ramirez abandoned his vehicle and did not notify authorities. On Feb. 24, 2015, a Metrolink train traveling through the area was derailed as a result of Sanchez-Ramirez' actions. Metrolink Engineer Glenn William Steele was killed and others were injured.
The case was investigated by the Oxnard Police Department and the National Transportation Safety Board.