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Waiting for the Yellow Line to DC at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport WMATA platform, returning from Fort Lauderdale & Winter Party 2007 . Alexandria, VA . Thursday night, 08 March 2007 . Elvert Xavier Barnes Photography
Photo: Elvert Barnes | CC BY 2.0 | Wikimedia Commons

D.C. Metro Work Vehicle Hits Stationary Train On Silver Line, Injuring 11

Shortly after midnight, a D.C. Metro work vehicle struck a stopped Silver Line train in Washington, injuring 11 as investigators probe the cause.

WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) said all 11 passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated. The crash limited Silver Line service between Ashburn and Clarendon and forced riders to transfer to the Orange Line to reach New Carrollton or Downtown Largo. Trains were single-tracked between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, creating two-way delays that slowed morning commutes. Metro Center station reopened about 5:15 a.m., but service disruptions persisted through the morning.

Initial reports named the collision and the number injured, but later updates added timing, injury severity, and specific service impacts. Fox News provided many of those operational details while WMATA continues its investigation into what caused the work vehicle to hit the stopped train.

Public Transport Safety Washington Metro Washington D.C.
This story is compiled from 2 sources using AI-assisted curation and analysis. Original reporting is attributed below. Learn about our methodology.

📌 Key Facts

  • A D.C. Metro work vehicle collided with a stationary Silver Line train shortly after midnight, before the morning rush.
  • WMATA reported 11 passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
  • Silver Line service was limited between Ashburn and Clarendon; riders were instructed to transfer to the Orange Line to reach New Carrollton or Downtown Largo.
  • Trains were single-tracking between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, resulting in two-way delays.
  • Metro Center station reopened around 5:15 a.m., but service delays persisted through the morning commute.
  • WMATA officials are investigating the cause of the crash.

📰 Source Timeline (2)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

April 22, 2026
12:48 PM
DC Metro work vehicle collides with train, injuring 11 and snarling morning commute
Fox News
New information:
  • Collision occurred shortly after midnight, making it a pre-dawn incident before the morning rush.
  • WMATA specified that 11 passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
  • Silver Line service is limited between Ashburn and Clarendon, with riders told to transfer to the Orange Line to reach New Carrollton or Downtown Largo.
  • Trains are single-tracking between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, causing two-way delays.
  • Metro Center reopened around 5:15 a.m., but service delays persisted through the morning commute.
  • Article reiterates that WMATA officials are still investigating the cause of the crash.