COVINA — A mad died after being struck by a commuter train late Tuesday in what was initially believed to be a suicide, authorities said.
The incident was reported about 10:10 p.m. on the railroad at Sunflower Avenue, just north of Covina Boulevard, according to Covina police Sgt. Ray Marquez.
The initial investigation indicated, “The subject concealed himself behind a Metrolink utility shed, located just west of the Sunflower Avenue railroad crossing,” the sergeant said in a written statement. “(He) jumped from behind the utility shed onto the railroad tracks as the westbound train traveled at approximately 60 mph.”
The Metrolink train struck the man, inflicting fatal injuries.
The man had not been identified Wednesday morning, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. He was initially described as a white man in his mid- to late-40s.
Passengers from the train were placed onto buses to finish their journey, officials said, and train service was re-routed around the incident.
Authorities also closed Sunflower Avenue and Covina Boulevard for about four hours as they investigated the scene.
