MARYSVILLE — A 45-year-old man was hit and killed by a train in the area of 76th Street N.E. and State Avenue, according to Marysville Police, marking the fourth serious train-related incident during the month of September and the second fatality.
Officer TJ San Miguel says several minutes before the collision, a caller reported seeing people trespassing on the railroad tracks in the area and described one person as behaving erratically. Preliminary information indicates possible drug use may have been a contributing factor, however, the circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
At approximately 4 p.m. Monday, Marysville Police responded following a collision involving a train and a pedestrian. The collision resulted in the death of a 45-year-old man. On Sept. 8, a woman was struck and killed by a train at around 8 p.m. just north of the Grove Street crossing.
While the circumstances of these incidents have varied, Miguel reported — including possible substance use, a behavioral health crisis, and dangerous decisions by drivers or pedestrians — they share an important reminder: railroad tracks and crossings demand our full attention and respect.
The impact of these incidents extends well beyond those directly involved, San Miguel remarked in a written statement which included, “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones who have experienced loss, as well as the witnesses and train crews who have been exposed to traumatic events. We also recognize the impact on the police officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and medical personnel who have repeatedly responded to these incidents.”
San Miguel says the four devastating collisions also underscores the importance of Operation Clear Track, a nationwide rail-safety initiative commencing today, Tuesday, September 22. MPD will join law enforcement agencies across the country for the largest rail-safety enforcement effort in the United States. Officers will conduct targeted patrols at railroad crossings throughout Marysville, focusing on education, visibility, and enforcement.
The goal, San Miguel says, is simple: to prevent the next tragedy. He reminds everyone to stay off railroad tracks, obey crossing signals and warning devices, and never attempt to beat a train through a crossing.
San Miguel added, we also encourage anyone experiencing a behavioral health or substance-use crisis — or anyone concerned about someone who may be in crisis — to seek help before that crisis puts a life in danger. Dialing 988 connects callers with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and is an important resource for anyone experiencing a mental health, suicide, or substance-use crisis.
San Miguel concluded, “Railroad safety is a shared responsibility. The decisions made around railroad tracks can have consequences that reach far beyond the person making them.”