Woman Killed in Santa Monica Bus Accident

A 39-year-old woman is dead after crawling underneath a stopped Metro bus in Santa Monica last Friday, setting off a fatal sequence of events that investigators are still working to understand.

Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department and Santa Monica Fire Department responded around 2 p.m. to Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard following reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a Metro bus. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives believe she was homeless, though the coroner’s office had not yet confirmed her identity at the time of this report.

The circumstances were jarring. Surveillance video from a nearby business provided investigators a clearer picture of what happened. Preliminary investigation indicates the Metro bus was stopped when the pedestrian moved underneath it. As the bus pulled away from the stop, the pedestrian was struck and sustained fatal injuries.

Metro said the bus was operating on the westbound 33 Line at the time of the collision. The transit agency released a statement Friday afternoon confirming the basic facts, extending condolences to the woman’s family and noting that the Santa Monica Police Department is leading the investigation.

Investigating the Santa Monica Bus Accident

Investigators were quick to address the bus driver’s conduct. The operator remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. At this stage of the investigation, there is no indication of impairment or distraction on the part of the operator. That finding shifts the legal focus to broader questions about transit authority protocols and driver training obligations.

Public transit operators in California owe a heightened duty of care to both passengers and the public. Bus drivers are trained to check their surroundings before pulling away from stops — particularly in situations where someone beneath a vehicle would not be visible from the driver’s seat. Whether Metro’s training and operational standards met that threshold is a question that could become central to any civil action.

The victim’s housing status does not affect her legal standing. California law makes no distinction based on a person’s economic circumstances, and claims can be pursued on behalf of a decedent’s estate regardless of background.

The collision remains under investigation.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a public transit vehicle in Southern California, legal options may be available. Claims against public entities in California carry strict filing deadlines under the California Government Claims Act — missing that window can permanently bar recovery. A personal injury attorney can evaluate the facts, identify liable parties and protect your rights before time runs out.