SANTA MONICA, CA – NICOLE KOSCHAK, 39, FATALLY STRUCK BY METRO BUS

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (May 15, 2026) – A 39-year-old woman struck and killed by a Metro bus in Santa Monica last Friday has been identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office as Nicole Koschak.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:40 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. The Medical Examiner's Office determined that Koschak sustained blunt force trauma.

According to LA Metro, a westbound Metro Line 33 bus pulling away from the bus stop at that intersection made contact with a pedestrian, resulting in a fatality. Preliminary reports indicate the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and had positioned herself under the bus as it pulled away.

SMPD Lt. Lewis Gilmore stated that investigators located security video from a nearby business, which provided a clearer view of the circumstances leading up to the collision. The preliminary investigation indicates the Metro bus was stopped when the pedestrian moved underneath the bus, and was struck as the bus pulled away from the stop. The Metro bus operator remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, with no indication of impairment or distraction on the part of the operator.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8367, or the department's watch commander at 310-458-8427.

What Pedestrian Accident Victims Should Know

In California, pedestrians who are killed or injured in collisions involving public transit vehicles including Metro buses may have grounds for a civil claim against the transit agency, the bus operator, or other responsible parties. However, claims against public entities such as LA Metro are subject to strict government claim filing deadlines. Under the California Government Claims Act, a claim must typically be filed within six months of the date of the incident significantly shorter than the standard two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Failing to meet this deadline can permanently bar you from seeking compensation.

If you or a loved one were injured or killed in a pedestrian or transit accident, consider taking the following steps:

1. Seek and document all medical treatment, including emergency room visits and any follow-up care.
2. Preserve any available evidence, such as photographs of the scene, witness contact information, or any video footage.
3. Avoid providing recorded statements to any transit agency, insurance representative, or third party before consulting with an attorney.
4. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible, given the shortened filing window for claims against public agencies.

Contact Our LA Personal Injury Attorney

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras represents pedestrian accident victims and their families throughout Santa Monica and Los Angeles County. Our team handles personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning there are no upfront costs and no hourly fees.

Call (866) 837-1315 now for a free, confidential consultation.

Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.