Train Accident Lawyers: 10th Pedestrian Killed This Year Crossing Railroad Tracks

Washington train tracks were once the veins that kept the state thriving and still link the massive Seattle and Tacoma ports and the orchards of central Washington with the rest of the country. They wind through mountains, south along the ocean, and speed east along flat open plains. They are also extremely dangerous and take a long time to stop which was the case this morning in Centralia.

A yet unidentified man was crossing the tracks between two pedestrian “crossovers” (which are similar to street crossings but are narrower and have a raised bed) around 5 am.

According to Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF is the manager of all Washington track maintenance and operations) spokesman Gus Melonas, the crew saw the man, sounded the whistle and made an emergency stop. But the train traveling about 40 mph could not stop in time.

Reports later after the train stopped and the investigation had begun said that the body was found under a rail car about half an hour after the train accident.

The Centralia line carries more than 50 freight and Amtrak trains per day.

Police and BNSF are investigating.

Update: The Lewis County Coroner’s Office, based on information brought forward by a friend of the victim, has deemed this death a suicide. Apparently the victim had been involved in a domestic dispute and threatened suicide earlier that morning.

There have been 10 people killed on tracks this year in Washington. Nine were considered trespassing and one was a pedestrian at a crossing. With this kind of common occurrence please don’t come under the misconception that it would never happen to you. The speed limit for trains in population centers of less than 100,000 people are as high as 90 mph and can appear seemingly out of nowhere. Please always use a pedestrian crossing and be careful when crossing.

If you or a loved one is hit by a train, then some of the best advice you can receive is to find an experienced lawyer assure that you get the accident settlement you deserve. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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