UPDATE | Authorities have identified a man fatally struck by an oncoming train as he fled police on a Long Beach Metro Blue Line platform last Tuesday.
The suspect was Cesar Rodriguez, 23.
Authorities said they had detained Rodriguez for fare evasion but in the process he fled police. During his attempt to get away he fell on the platform, with part of his body going off the edge, and was subsequently struck by an oncoming train.
Rodriguez, who ended up stuck between the train and the platform, was eventually freed by firefighters and taken to a local hospital where he later died.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Long Beach Police Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244.
City News Service contributed to this report.
PREVIOUSLY: Suspect Evading Metro Fare Fatally Crushed by Train After Fleeing Officers
8/31/17 at 3:07PM | A man suspected of failing to pay a Metro Blue Line fare in Long Beach was fatally crushed by an oncoming train when he attempted to flee police Tuesday night, according to authorities.
Police were assisting Metro fare compliance officers at the Wardlow Blue Line Station platform, near Pacific Avenue and Wardlow Road, at about 8:52PM when they attempted to detain the suspect, who was carrying drugs, for fare evasion on the train platform, according to a Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) release sent out Wednesday evening.
During the encounter, the suspect, described as in his 20s, “failed to comply with the officer’s orders and attempted to flee the officer’s lawful detention,” officials stated.
“As the suspect was attempting to get away from the officer, both he and the officer fell onto the platform,” the release stated. “The suspect’s lower extremities were partially off the edge of the platform and the suspect was struck by an incoming Metro Train. The suspect was trapped between a train car and the platform.”
Responding Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) personnel were able to rescue him by using airbags, fire officials said. The suspect was alert when he was transported to a local hospital in moderate condition, but he later died from his injuries, officials stated.
The incident, considered an in-custody death, is being investigated separately by LBPD homicide detectives as well as the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities do not know the suspect’s name at this time and his identification is pending determination by the coroner’s office.
Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Long Beach Police Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through “LA CRIME STOPPERS” by calling 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
City News Service contributed to this report.
Wardlow Blueline: LBFD freed a man using airbags after he fell between train/platform. Pt. transported to hospital in moderate condition. pic.twitter.com/Va1hKYOfvN
— Long Beach Fire (CA) (@lbfd) August 30, 2017