Train kills motorcycle passenger after riders lift rail crossing arms, California cops say

A passenger on a motorcycle died after being hit by a train when other motorcyclists lifted railroad crossing arms to pass through, California police reported.

The closed crossing arms stopped a group of about 100 motorcyclists at about 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, police said in an email to McClatchy News.

Some of the riders lifted up the crossing arms, which had closed for an oncoming Amtrak train, to allow riders to pass, police said.

The train hit a motorcycle crossing the tracks, killing a female passenger and critically injuring the motorcyclist, police said. The rider was taken to a hospital.

Both were wearing helmets, police said.

Detectives and Amtrak officials are continuing to investigate, police said. No arrests have been made.

Police ask anyone with information to call Sgt. Ryan Gill at 510-577-0446.

San Leandro is about a 25-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.

This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Train kills motorcycle passenger after riders lift rail crossing arms, California cops say."