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Metro Bus Kills Homeless Woman Leaving Santa Monica Stop

5/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A homeless woman was killed when a Metro bus struck her as it left a stop in Santa Monica.
Security camera footage showed the woman crawling beneath the stopped bus before it moved forward.
The bus driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Police found no evidence the driver was impaired or distracted.
Main Street was closed between Ocean Park Boulevard and Hollister Avenue for several hours.

History

Historical Context

After the 1966 Highway Safety Act created the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, systematic vehicle and road improvements cut pedestrian deaths, a trend reinforced when NHTSA’s 1995 Pedestrian Safety Program—backed by the Federal Highway Administration and California DOT—reported a 12% decline, saving roughly 800 lives. The recent Santa Monica bus-collision echoes those historic safety concerns.

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Story summary

A homeless woman was killed when a Metro bus struck her as it left a stop in Santa Monica.
Security camera footage showed the woman crawling beneath the stopped bus before it moved forward.
The bus driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Police found no evidence the driver was impaired or distracted.
Main Street was closed between Ocean Park Boulevard and Hollister Avenue for several hours.

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