Michigan man, 20, killed trying to outrun train
Police: Man, 20, trying to outrun oncoming train at southwest Michigan crossing struck, killed
7/13/2014BRIDGMAN, Mich.— Authorities say a 20-year-old man trying to beat an oncoming train by running across the tracks was struck and killed at a crossing in southwestern Michigan.
Police in Bridgman say the crash happened about 10 p.m. Saturday in the city of 2,300. The crossing is in Berrien County, about 12 miles south-southwest of Benton Harbor.
Police identify the dead man as Austin Thackston of St. Joseph.
Chief Daniel J. Unruh said in a statement Sunday that witnesses report the gates were down and the warning lights were flashing for a northbound train when Thackston tried to cross.
Unruh says investigators are awaiting the results of toxicology tests. He says that state police and CSX Corp. are helping the investigation.