Juan Manuel Alvarez: 11 Consecutive Life Terms

HOT OFF THE LA Times Web site: A gasp filled a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday as a judge sentenced a former Compton laborer to 11 consecutive life prison terms for triggering a commuter train crash [at the Chevy Chase Drive crossing in Atwater Village] that killed 11 people, deadliest train crash in Metrolink's history.

Metrolink Killer Gets Life Without Parole

THIS JUST IN: Jury recommends life without parole for Juan Manuel Alvarez. The convicted murderer of 11 people who died in the January 2005 train crash in Atwater Village was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The jury reached its verdict, deciding against a possible death penalty, after less than a half-day of deliberation.

Where They Stash the Metrolink Train Wreckage

Metrolink Train Wreckage, originally uploaded by Atwater Village Newbie.

THANKS TO birds-eye views from Windows Live Local, you can see where Metrolink stores its blue-wrapped wreckage from the 2005 crash that killed 11 people. Four rail cars sit near tracks south of Western Avenue in Glendale. Yesterday the trains were uncovered for TV choppers and jurors in the sentencing trial of Juan Manuel Alvarez, the man found guilty of causing the wreck about 3 miles south of here in Atwater Village. Birds-Eye View of Metrolink Storage [Windows Live Local]

Metrolink Wreckage Paraded for TV News, Jurors

NEWS HELICOPTERS circled Glendale around San Fernando Road and Western Avenue today as Metrolink displayed wreckage from the 2005 derailment caused by Juan Manuel Alvarez. Jurors in his sentencing trial are taking a field trip today to see 4 rail cars involved in the Atwater Village crash that killed 11 people. Watch the news tonight! Jurors set to view wrecked rail cars [ABC7] Alvarez Trial Jurors to View Rail Cars [KNX1070] Jurors In Metrolink Train Crash Case Sentencing To View Rail Cars [KNBC]

Convicted: Metrolink Murderer Could Face Death Penalty

Metrolink Derailment Monument, originally uploaded by Atwater Village Newbie.

ON THE BORDER of Glendale and Atwater Village, a jury said yesterday, Juan Manuel Alvarez triggered the deadliest Metrolink train crash in history. He parked his gasoline-soaked SUV near the Chevy Chase Drive rail crossing, January 26, 2005, injuring 180 and killing 11. Man convicted of 11 counts of murder in 2005 Metrolink crash [LA Times]

Atwater Chatter - Rock and Roll Edition

SOME OF THE LATEST and greatest Internet tidbits concerning our 8,000-resident sliver of Los Angeles, just one of 173 official LA neighborhoods. ROCK #1 - Beastie Boys at The Greek Theatre - "All of the old magic is there: Adrock is still the charmer; ad-libbing at the end of 'I grabbed two girlies and a beer that's cold! And it was LOVELY!!' (from 'Paul Revere') and remembering to give LA's Atwater Village (home of their old recording studio) a proper shout-out. [Popwatch Blog] ROLL #1 - Metrolink to improve security at crossings - "The crossing at Chevy Chase Drive near the Atwater Village-Glendale border already sits locked and gated - a grim reminder of its tragic past. On Jan. 26, 2005, Juan Manuel Alvarez allegedly deserted his Jeep on the train tracks... The 28-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of capital murder and awaits trial." [Whittier Daily News] ROCK #2 - Arthur Magazine Goes to Press This Week - It's back! No. 26 of Atwater Village-based cultural icon is available for pre-order. [arthurmag.com] ROLL #2 - Elysian Valley Art Ride - "When I biked the LA River Ride last June from Griffith Park to Long Beach we ventured south of Atwater Village on through Elysian Valley ... And having seen a lot of cool artsy muralsy things along that stretch south of Fletcher I've since then wanted to go back with my camera..." [blogging.la]

Countdown to Tragiversary IV

It's three weeks since the second anniversary of the worst Metrolink commuter railroad disaster. A new memorial stands near Seneca Avenue and Los Feliz Boulevard. But old feelings continue. Patty Alcala writes intimately about becoming a widow on January 26, 2005. Read her blog here: Metrolink Derailment 1/26/2005

Countdown to Tragiversary III

Today, January 26, 2007, marks two years since the worst train disaster in the history of the Metrolink commuter railroad. This morning, Metrolink trains passed through Atwater Village with no incident.

Countdown to Tragiversary II

Atwater Village MetroLink Memorial, originally uploaded by CD-13.

This Friday, January 26, 2007, marks two years since the worst train disaster in the history of the Metrolink commuter railroad. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Council President Eric Garcetti help the community remember 11 who died when passenger trains collided with a Jeep on tracks separating Atwater Village and Glendale. This new memorial stands at the southeast corner of Los Feliz Blvd. and Seneca Ave. More here.

Countdown to Tragiversary

Original | Gallery

January 26, 2007, marks two years since the worst train disaster in the history of the Metrolink commuter railroad. This year, the community remembers 11 who died when passenger trains collided with a Jeep on tracks separating Atwater Village and Glendale. Train crash memorial unveiled - LA Daily News - "About 100 residents and city officials gathered for Sunday's dedication ceremony, across the street from the Costco where employees, police and firefighters had tirelessly pulled people from the train wreckage and got them to help on the dark and drizzly day." Victims of 2005 Metrolink Crash Honored - KFWB News 980 | MP3 audio file] - "Mayor Villaraigosa said the monument just might help victims' families move on." Authorities attribute the accident to the Jeep driver, Juan Manuel Alvarez, who plead not guilty to 11 counts of capital murder. His next hearing is February 9. The new memorial stands at the southeast corner of Los Feliz Blvd. and Seneca Ave. More here. Mock-up here: