Tuesday March 19th, 2024 12:00AM

GSP: Train strikes, kills pedestrian in Stephens County

TOCCOA — The Georgia State Patrol has released preliminary details of a fatal incident involving a train and a pedestrian in Stephens County Tuesday morning.

“The Hartwell Railroad train was going toward Hart County on the tracks and had just crossed over Ga. 145 traveling southbound,” said Trooper 1st Class Jesse Lewis of GSP Post 7 in Toccoa. “The pedestrian was walking on the tracks headed the same direction as the train. He had his back to the train and was hit on the tracks.”

Lewis is not releasing details about the victim because GSP has not been able to contact family members yet.

“We have a witness that he was walking in the middle of the tracks the same direction that this train was and just never moved and was struck from behind,” Lewis said.

Lewis said the incident, reported at 11:46 a.m., happened past the railroad crossing on Ga. 145, and is being handled as a death investigation because it didn’t occur on the road.

“The engineer stated he did not see the pedestrian or feel the impact,” Lewis said. “The engineer estimated [the train] was going about 16 mph.”

 

  • Associated Categories: Homepage, Local/State News
  • Associated Tags: GSP, Stephens County, Georgia State Patrol, Toccoa, pedestrian, fatality, Hartwell Railroad
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