Law enforcement investigates railroad fatality. / Courtesy photos by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office
Updated at 1:32 p.m.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A pedestrian was struck and killed by a freight train about a half mile south of Tenino late yesterday afternoon.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said it happened approximately 5 p.m. near the 16800 block of Old Highway 99.
The southbound locomotive had been blowing its horn for one-eighth of a mile and went into emergency braking but the man was slow to respond, according to authorities.
He was unable to clear the tracks and was hit by the train, sheriff’s Sgt. Carla Carter stated in a press release.
Carter described him as a 30-year-old white male from Tacoma, but did not release his name.
The death is under investigation. The line was shut down for one and a half hours, delaying six trains, according to BNSF spokesperson Gus Melonas.
Melonas said it was the 13th railroad trespasser fatality in Washington this year.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter