At a Glance
- Two 18-year-olds rode on the roof of a Coaster commuter train near Del Mar, CA, on a recent Friday at 5 p.m.
- Viral video shows one teen standing and the other lying flat as heavy wind hits them at up to 90 mph.
- Deputies cited Joseph Medina-Rivera and Brad Ellgen for misdemeanor trespassing on railroad property.
- Why it matters: A single slip could have been fatal, and transit officials warn they will press charges to deter copycats.
A viral video has landed two San Diego-area teens in legal trouble after Sheriff’s deputies say the pair were filmed “train surfing” atop a moving Coaster commuter train.
How Deputies Found the Teens
Multiple 911 calls from Del Mar witnesses poured in around 5 p.m., alerting deputies to two figures on the train’s roof. Using the descriptions provided, deputies located Medina-Rivera in the 200 block of South Coast Highway 101 and Ellgen in the 300 block of South Cedros Avenue, both in Solana Beach. The teens, both 18, admitted to riding the four-car train north toward Del Mar.
Video Shows One Teen Standing, One Lying Flat
The footage, shared widely online, captures:
- One teen standing and moving while the other lies flat
- Powerful wind whipping their clothes as the train barrels forward
- No safety gear or restraints
According to ABC-affiliate KNSD-TV, trains on this route can reach 90 mph, though the exact speed during the stunt was not released.
Transit Officials: “Not Worth Your Life”
Mary Dover, Chief of Staff for the North County Transit District, told KNSD-TV that surf-on-top incidents are rare but stressed the danger.
“Anybody that thinks that this is a good idea if they’re interested in doing it for going viral or for their 15 minutes of fame, it’s not worth your life, and it’s not worth potential legal action that we will take,” Dover said.
The Sheriff’s Department echoed the warning, stating that trespassing around railroad equipment “poses serious safety risks to themselves and others.”
What Happens Next
Deputies cited the pair for misdemeanor trespassing on railroad property and released them. The transit district continues to investigate and plans to press charges “to the fullest extent of the law,” per KNSD-TV. Officials hope the case deters others from risking injury or death for online attention.
