Resident killed by train while trying to cross the tracks near Park View Elementary

Greg Larson, 35, of Simi Valley was killed by an Amtrak train while attempting to cross the railroad tracks on May 11.

According to a police report, Larson and a friend were walking across the tracks at 8 p.m. Friday night to the rear of 2050 Donville Street, an area where pedestrian crossings of the tracks are common, despite the lack of a crossing guard.

"It's a place where people are consistently crossing," said Sgt. David Livingstone of the Simi PD. "It's located very close to a residential neighborhood and there's a gap there where people wanting to get to Mountaingate Plaza, the movies, the batting cages, can pass through."

Larson apparently misjudged the speed of the oncoming Amtrak train and was struck and killed instantly. Larson was struck by a Pacific Surfliner train on its daily run from San Diego to Goleta.

There were no injuries to the friend with Larson or to anyone on the train.

Livingstone said crossing the street and crossing the railroad tracks are similar in the fact that they both require precaution.

"You have to make sure it's safe before you go," Livingstone said, adding that studies have shown that even large passenger trains can approach without making much of a sound.

"Air flow in front of the train sometimes creates a vacuum effect that traps the sound," Livingstone said. "That's why we always say when you're crossing the tracks you really have to look both ways."

- Kyle Jorrey