Woman was struck by Amtrak train near Bloomfield Avenue
August 27, 2026 | Santa Fe Springs, CA
What Happened in the Santa Fe Springs Train Incident?
SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA — A woman running with a group died after being struck by an Amtrak train on Thursday morning.
Graciela Vargas, 34, was pronounced dead after an Amtrak train struck her and another person near Lakeland Road and Bloomfield Avenue in Santa Fe Springs.
- Date: Aug. 27
- Time: Around 8:45 a.m.
- Location: Tracks near Lakeland Road and Bloomfield Avenue
- Victim: Graciela Vargas, 34
- Outcome: Vargas died at the scene; a second person suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized
- Agency: Whittier Police Department
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Vargas’s identity. The incident remains under investigation.
Why Do Train Accidents Occur?
Each year hundreds of people are killed in train-related crashes across the United States, often at poorly marked crossings or where signals malfunction or fencing is inadequate. Railroad deaths totaled 954 in 2024, according to the National Safety Council.
Accident Statistics
| Year | Railroad Deaths (U.S.) | Change from Prior Year | Source |
|---|
| 2023 | 967 | — | National Safety Council |
| 2024 | 954 | -1% | National Safety Council |
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, independent investigation by a seasoned lawyer can help preserve evidence for a victim’s family.
“A skilled attorney can protect a grieving family from powerful train companies, which often send their investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize to defend a negligent party. Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and the victim must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently.”
— Candice bond, managing partner of bond legal
- Evidence preservation is critical immediately after an incident
- Families may face challenges when dealing with large transportation companies
- Prompt legal review helps protect rights and interests
Pending the investigation, family members of Graciela Vargas may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim for loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim’s legal rights and best interests are protected.”
— Stefano formica, of counsel with bond legal
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).