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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Friday June 27th, 2025 :: 01:07 p.m. PDT

Community

Fatal Traffic Collision-Involving Metrolink Train

Nature of Incident: Fatal Traffic Collision-Involving Metrolink Train
Report Number: 25-78785
Location: Private Railroad Crossing at Montair Drive, Moorpark, Ca
Date & Time: June 25, 2025, at 2:14 PM
 
Unit(s) Responsible: Moorpark Police Department Traffic Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

City of Residence

Age
(D) Jose Avila Fillmore, Ca 23
Narrative:
On June 25, 2025, at approximately 2:14 PM, emergency personnel from the Moorpark Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Ventura County Fire Department, American Medical Response, and Gold Coast Ambulance responded to a traffic collision that occurred on the Union Pacific Rail Line near Montair Drive in the City of Moorpark.  Investigators learned a semi-tractor was towing two trailers of lemons southbound from a privately owned ranch when a collision occurred with an eastbound Metrolink Train.
 
Initial investigation indicates that the driver of the semi-tractor, Jose Avila, was ejected as a result of the collision. Life-saving measures were initiated by nearby workers and responding sheriff’s deputies; however, Mr. Avila was pronounced deceased at the scene.  There was a total of 17 people on board the Metrolink Train.  One passenger complained of minor injuries. 
 
Rail operations on this section of the Union Pacific Rail Line was temporarily halted for several hours for the investigation.  Metrolink and Amtrak arranged transportation for their effected passengers. 
 
The collision is still under investigation by the Moorpark Police Traffic Bureau. Anyone who might have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Deputy Manley at 805-532-2700.
 
 
 
Prepared by: Sergeant Shawn Holzberger  
News Release Date: June 27, 2025  
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Shawn Holzberger
805-532-2700
[email protected]
 
 
Approved by:
 
 
Booking Photo Release:
Captain Nick Odenath
Moorpark Chief of Police
 
 YES     NO  
 
           
 
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

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