Washington, D.C. — A late-night accident on Washington’s Metro system left multiple passengers shaken after a work vehicle collided with a stationary train, disrupting service across key lines early Wednesday morning.
The incident happened shortly after midnight at the Metro Center station, one of the busiest transit hubs in the city. According to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the last Silver Line train of the day was stopped on the tracks when a work vehicle struck it from behind.
At the time of the collision, 27 passengers were on board. Officials confirmed that 11 riders sustained injuries, though all were reported as non-life-threatening. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, providing medical assistance and assessing the situation.
Passengers described the moment as sudden and frightening, with a strong jolt felt throughout the train. Despite the impact, there were no reports of serious injuries among Metro staff, and the remaining passengers were safely transferred to another train to continue their journey toward Downtown Largo.
The crash has led to significant service disruptions across multiple lines. Metro authorities warned commuters to expect delays on the Orange and Blue lines in both directions, as trains are currently operating on a single track between McPherson Square and Smithsonian stations. Meanwhile, Silver Line service has been partially suspended, now running only between Ashburn and Clarendon.
Officials have advised passengers traveling toward New Carrollton or Downtown Largo to use the Orange Line as an alternative while crews work to restore normal operations.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the work vehicle came into contact with the train. Early details suggest the vehicle was operating on or near the tracks at the time, but the exact cause remains unclear.
As the morning commute begins, Metro officials continue to monitor the situation and urge riders to plan for delays and check for real-time updates before traveling.
