LA Metro Statistics: Crimes and Accidents (2024)
The Los Angeles Metro system has been a vital transportation network for residents and visitors of the city. The safety of the public transportation system has been a growing concern in recent years. From collisions involving buses and trains to violent crimes affecting passengers and transit workers, public transit incidents have raised concerns about rider security and operational safety. This analysis from Los Angeles injury attorneys examines recent data on the frequency and causes of accidents, injuries, and incidents of crime on LA’s Metro system, highlighting trends and risk factors.
Key Insights
- Over the past five years, the Los Angeles Metro system has seen a rise in violent crimes and accidents, raising concerns about passenger and worker safety.
- In 2024, there were 25 reported incidents, with 15 classified as violent crimes and 10 classified as motor vehicle accidents.
- More violent crimes were reported on LA Metro buses (10 incidents) compared to LA Metro trains (6 incidents), however train accidents resulted in a larger number of passengers injured.
- 16 of the reported crimes on the LA Metro involved a deadly weapon, most commonly a gun or knife.
- 8 stabbings and 4 fatal shooting incidents were reported on the LA Metro system in 2024, with stabbings resulting in the hospitalization of passengers for injuries.
Number of Crimes on Public Transit in Los Angeles
According to research from CalMatters, crime rates on LA Metro have continually increased in each of the past five years, even accounting for the rise in ridership. In 2024, there were 25 reported incidents on Los Angeles public transit, with 16 incidents involving violent crime while the others involved motor vehicle accidents.
- 16 incidents of crime on public transit included the use of a gun, knife, or other deadly weapon.
- LA Metro buses experienced a higher number of these violent crimes, with 10 incidents occurring on buses compared to 6 on Metro trains.
- 6 deaths were reported and caused by either shooting or stabbing on LA Metro public transit.
Most Common Public Transportation Injuries in Los Angeles
Attorneys handling LA Metro accidents have seen passengers suffer from a range of injuries varying in severity. Some of the most common injuries included bone fractures, head trauma, and lacerations, often caused by vehicle collisions or physical attacks. Violent incidents on public transit vehicles also led to serious injuries such as stab wounds, gunshot wounds, and other physical assault-related trauma.
Of the reported incidents in 2024, the following injuries occurred in public transit accidents and crime incidents in Los Angeles:
- Stabbing wounds: 8
- Death: 5
- Gunshot injuries: 3
- Unspecified injuries: 2
- Bone fracture: 1
Los Angeles Train Accidents
In 2024, train-related incidents accounted for a notable portion of public transit accidents in Los Angeles. Out of the reported LA Metro accidents and crimes, eight occurred on Metro trains, highlighting the risks associated with Metro train travel in the city. These incidents included violent crimes as well as derailment accidents leading to injuries and fatalities.
LA Metro Train Derailment
The most notable train accident in 2024 involved a Metro rail train colliding with a USC shuttle bus, injuring 55 people and hospitalizing 14 people in downtown LA. In addition, one train derailment accident was reported during the year 2024 in East LA after a train collided with a vehicle. All reported train accidents resulted in hospitalization for injuries of passengers involved.
While trains are a vital component of Los Angeles’ transportation network, train accident attorneys in Los Angeles suggest the data underscores the need for enhanced safety measures, improved security, and accident prevention strategies to ensure commuter safety.
Is the Bus or Train Safer in Los Angeles?
When comparing safety between buses and trains in Los Angeles, both modes of public transit ultimately present risks, but the nature and frequency of incidents vary. In 2024, LA Metro buses experienced more crime-related incidents (10) than LA Metro trains (6), with stabbings and shootings being the primary causes of injuries. However, train accidents resulted in more severe injuries, with one notable train collision in April 2024 which resulted in 14 people hospitalized and 55 injured.
In 2024, LA Metro buses had more reported accidents overall (6 bus accidents vs. 3 train accidents), and also had a higher number of hospitalizations per incident than train accidents. Out of 6 reported bus crashes in Los Angeles in 2024, there were 18 hospitalizations and one death of a pedestrian who was fatally struck in the City of Industry.
Additionally, four fatal shootings occurred on the Metro system, contributing to seven total deaths reported throughout the year. There were 8 reported incidents of passenger stabbings on LA Metro public transit, with one resulting in death.
In terms of crime, Metro buses have more reported incidents of violent encounters occurring on board. However, over the past year, train accidents tended to result in higher casualty numbers.
Los Angeles Metro Bus and Train Accidents
- March 20, 2024 – Downtown LA Bus Hijacking: A man who indicated he had a gun hijacked a transit bus in downtown Los Angeles, then grabbed the wheel, causing the bus to collide with several vehicles and crash into a hotel.
- April 30, 2024 – USC Shuttle Bus Collision: A Metro rail train collided with a USC shuttle bus, injuring 55 people and hospitalizing 14.
- August 23, 2024 – Lankershim Boulevard Bus Crash: A Metro bus crashed into a pole on Lankershim Boulevard near the 101 Freeway, injuring seven people, six of whom were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
- September 18, 2024 – East LA Train Derailment: A Metro light rail train collided with a vehicle and derailed in East LA, hospitalizing one person.
- September 23, 2024 – City of Industry Pedestrian Fatality: A Foothill Transit bus fatally struck an elderly male pedestrian in the City of Industry.
- November 20, 2024 – A-Line Train Crash at Nadeau: A driver was hospitalized after the driver of a black Nissan sedan broke through a crossing gate and hit the northbound A-Line train at Nadeau.
- December 3, 2024 – Rancho Park Tesla Crash: A Tesla crashed head-on into a Metro bus parked on the street in the Rancho Park neighborhood.
- December 16, 2024 – Metro Bus Wall Collision: Four people sustained minor injuries when a Los Angeles Metro transit bus rolled into a wall.
- December 18, 2024 – South El Monte Bus and Big Rig Collision: A Metro bus collided with a big rig in South El Monte, injuring 12 people and hospitalizing 7.
Los Angeles Metro Bus and Train Crimes
- January 4, 2024 – North Hollywood Metro Station Incident: An LAPD officer was treated for a leg injury after allegedly being attacked at a Metro station in North Hollywood.
- February 22, 2024 – Koreatown Bus Pepper Spray Death: A 62-year-old man died at the scene after authorities say he was pepper-sprayed by another man aboard a Metro bus in Koreatown.
- April 13, 2024 – Glendale Bus Stabbing: An elderly male passenger was brutally stabbed by another male passenger during an argument.
- April 13, 2024 – Willowbrook Bus Driver Attack: A Metro bus driver was punched and stabbed in Willowbrook.
- April 17, 2024 – Santa Monica Bus Driver Assault: A man kicked in the bus door and attacked the driver on a Metro bus traveling through Santa Monica.
- April 22, 2024 – Studio City Metro Train Attack: A 67-year-old woman was stabbed in the throat and killed in a sudden, unprovoked attack by a man who prosecutors say tried to take her bag moments earlier as they rode a Metro train.
- April 26, 2024 – South LA Bus Stabbing: A Metro bus driver ordered passengers off the vehicle after an argument broke out in South LA, leading to one person stabbing another multiple times with a knife.
- May 7, 2024 – East Hollywood Metro Shooting: A Metro train rider was shot dead, and a security guard was stabbed following a violent encounter in East Hollywood.
- May 13, 2024 – Green Line Metro Station Stabbing: A woman was stabbed inside an elevator at the Green Line Metro station near South Vermont Avenue in South LA.
- May 13, 2024 – Glendale Bus Stabbing Incident: An altercation on a Metro bus in Glendale spilled into the street, leading to two people being stabbed after the driver ordered them off the bus.
- May 14, 2024 – Encino Bus Wrench Attack: A man, described by police as homeless, allegedly attacked another rider with a wrench aboard a Metro bus in Encino.
- May 17, 2024 – Commerce Bus Shooting: A tourist visiting from Mexico was shot in the head and killed while riding a Metro bus in Commerce.
- May 21, 2024 – Lynwood Bus Stabbing: A male passenger was stabbed by another male passenger on a Metro bus in Lynwood, leaving the victim in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
- June 21, 2024 – West Adams Metro Train Shooting: A 38-year-old man on an E-Line Metro train at a South Los Angeles station in West Adams was approached as the train was leaving and shot in the head.
- September 25, 2024 – City Bus Hijacking and Fatal Shooting: A passenger was killed after a gunman hijacked a city bus.
- December 18, 2024 – Studio City Metro Station Stabbing: A man in his 30s was hospitalized after an assault with a deadly weapon at the San Fernando Valley transit stop on Lankershim Boulevard below Universal Studios Hollywood.
LA Metro Stabbing Incidents
In 2024, there were eight reported stabbing incidents injuring passengers on the Los Angeles Metro system. The majority of these violent attacks occurred on Metro buses, where close quarters and limited security presence may have contributed to the frequency of these assaults. Most of the stabbing victims required hospitalization for severe injuries, underscoring the dangerous nature of these crimes. Stabbings, along with other forms of assault with a deadly weapon, have raised concerns about passenger safety and the need for enhanced security measures across the Los Angeles transit network. As the LA Metro system continues to serve thousands of riders daily, addressing these violent incidents remains a critical issue for both law enforcement and transit authorities.
LA Metro Shooting Incidents
In 2024, the Los Angeles Metro system experienced four shooting incidents, all of which resulted in fatalities. These violent events occurred on both LA Metro buses and trains, with two shootings occurring on Metro buses and two on Metro trains. The deadly nature of these attacks has intensified concerns over passenger safety, as shooting incidents not only put victims at risk but also create widespread fear among commuters.
The fatal outcomes of each incident highlight the urgent need for improved security measures, such as increased law enforcement presence and enhanced surveillance on both buses and trains. As the LA Metro system continues to be a primary mode of public transportation, addressing gun violence remains a critical priority for transit authorities and law enforcement agencies.