CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / VENTURA
An Amtrak passenger train struck and killed a 17-year-old girl as she walked along the tracks near Ventura with her boyfriend, authorities said Wednesday.
Amanda Shoemaker of Simi Valley died at the scene of multiple blunt force injuries, said James Baroni, Ventura County’s chief deputy medical examiner. She and her 17-year-old boyfriend were walking along the tracks about 5 p.m. Wednesday when the train rounded a wide curve behind them and blew its horn, authorities said.
The boyfriend, who was not identified, was about 10 feet in front of Shoemaker and was able to jump to safety, said county Sheriff’s Capt. Ross Bonfiglio. Coroner’s investigators said they found no evidence Shoemaker was wearing headphones or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
-- Catherine Saillant
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