Paul M. Anderson
GLENDALE -- A 31-year-old Glendale man who apparently stepped in front
of a speeding commuter train was still clinging to life Tuesday, hospital
officials said.
Robert Anthony Donnelly was in "extremely" critical condition at
County-USC hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Adelaida De La Cerda.
"He's still hanging in there," De La Cerda said, adding that Donnelly
suffered several broken bones.
"He has internal injuries, head injuries, the whole gamut," she said.
Donnelly wandered onto the tracks at San Fernando Road and Broadway at
about 6:50 p.m. Monday, police said. A Metrolink train going nearly 80
mph struck him.
Witnesses told investigators that moments before the train struck him,
Donnelly was jumping in front of cars on San Fernando Road, according to
a Glendale police report.
But the cars dodged him. Donnelly, who appeared drunk, wobbled over to
the railroad tracks when the warning gates were activated by the
approaching train, witnesses told police.
One witness said Donnelly wavered in front of the train as if he was
deciding what to do, the police report stated.
While rushing him to the hospital a paramedic asked Donnelly if he was
trying to commit suicide, but Donnelly said, "No," the police report
stated.
Donnelly, who told the paramedic he had been heavily drinking, added,
"I was trying to fix my problems," the police report stated.
