A 38-year-old man was fatally struck by a southbound Metrolink train late Wednesday night in Sun Valley. The death was formally pronounced by the coroner on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has publicly identified the deceased man as Reynaldo Villanueva.
The incident occurred on the railroad tracks in the Sun Valley area. While the exact location on the tracks has not been specified, authorities confirmed a southbound Metrolink train struck Villanueva. This incident occurred the same day as a separate fatal train-versus-vehicle collision in nearby Glendale earlier on Wednesday, underscoring the dangers at rail crossings and along tracks in the region .
As of the latest reports, the official manner and cause of Reynaldo Villanueva’s death have not been announced by the Medical Examiner’s office. The office has stated that this information will be added to its public records as soon as it becomes available. This suggests the investigation into the circumstances is still open.
A public obituary and tribute page for Villanueva has been created, expressing grief from his family and asking for prayers. The simple post states “RIP REYNALDO VILLANUEVA” with the date of the formal pronouncement of his death.
The fatal encounter on the tracks late at night raises questions about the events that led Villanueva to be on the tracks. Investigations by the relevant authorities, which likely include local law enforcement and Metrolink officials, are standard procedure following such incidents. These investigations work to determine the precise sequence of events.
The loss of Reynaldo Villanueva is a sobering reminder of the lethal force and quick reaction time of commuter trains. Safety officials consistently warn the public to stay off active railroad tracks, which are private property and extremely dangerous. Trespassing on railroad tracks is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States.