Suspect Charged in Santa Monica Train Collision

By Lookout Staff

April 24, 2018 -- Santa Monica police filed charges Monday against a drunk driver involved in a collision with a Metro Expo Line train last week, police officials said.

Anthony Manuel Beltran Sr., 54, from Waterford, Connecticut, was charged with causing injury while driving under the influence, child endangerment causing serious injury and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Anthony Manuel Beltran Sr. (Courtesy SMPD)

Three occupants of the vehicle "suffered significant injuries" and were treated by Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics at the scene, said Lt. Saul Rodriguez, the Police Department spokesman ("Three Injured in Train Collision in Santa Monica," April 18, 2018). One of the passengers remains hospitalized in critical condition, Rodriguez said. The collision took place shortly after midnight Wednesday after Beltran ran a red light at the Expo rail crossing on Lincoln Boulevard and Colorado Avenue and his vehicle was struck by an oncoming train, police said.

"Investigators determined a contributing factor to the collision appears to be that the driver of the vehicle was driving under the influence of alcohol," Rodriguez said.

Beltran was placed under arrest and booked after he was treated at the hospital, he said.

The charges were filed with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Airport Division.

Beltran remains in custody with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office on a $ 410,000.00 bail pending future court proceedings, police said.

This investigation is on-going.

Anyone with additional information should contact Investigators Pace or Olson at (310) 458-8954, or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.