A pedestrian was struck and killed by a trolley in National City Tuesday afternoon, officials confirmed.
The deadly incident happened around 3:40 p.m. at Civic Center Drive and Wilson Avenue, near the 8th Street Trolley Station.
According to authorities, the pedestrian -- a man in his 20s -- ran out onto the tracks in front of a moving, oncoming trolley and was fatally struck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) immediately halted trolley traffic in the area.
Investigators blocked off the scene and began processing the area for evidence. As of 4 p.m., passengers were being removed from the trolley involved in the collision. No other injuries were reported.
MTS officials said a bus bridge had been activated to transport trolley passengers between the 8th and E Street stations. As of 4:20 p.m., MTS officials said trolley services on the Blue Line are interrupted in both directions and delays are expected through at least the next hour.
MTS officials said the trolley was traveling at normal speed, around 35 mph, at the time of the collision. The driver has been on the job for one year and has had no other such accidents.
An MTS spokesman said this is the third fatality on the trolley tracks this year.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing. The victim’s name has not yet been released.
