Woman killed after Metro bus strikes her near Santa Monica Pier

A 39-year-old woman died Friday afternoon after being struck by a westbound Metro 33 Line bus as it pulled away from a stop near the Santa Monica Pier, the Santa Monica Police Department said.

The fatality raised fresh concerns about pedestrian safety at transit stops across the greater Los Angeles area, where bus corridors draw heavy foot traffic from commuters and beachgoers alike.

The crash occurred at approximately 2 p.m. at the Metro 33 Line bus stop at Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

L.A. Metro released a statement Friday afternoon. "A westbound Metro 33 Line Bus, pulling away from the bus stop at Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, made contact with a pedestrian, resulting in a fatality," Metro said. "Preliminary reports indicate the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and positioned themself under the bus as it pulled away. Metro extends its deepest sympathies to the person's family and friends and thanks the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments for their prompt response."

Police closed Main Street between Ocean Park Boulevard and Hollister Avenue while investigators reviewed video evidence and established a command post near the intersection, Santa Monica police said.

According to City News Service, both a Metro bus and a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus were present at the intersection at the time of the crash.

The incident was first reported by ABC7 Los Angeles. The Santa Monica Police Department is leading the investigation, and no additional details were available Friday evening.

The Santa Monica Police Department is continuing its investigation. No arrests were reported and no further information was available as of Friday evening.