By Justin Schneider
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. —
A pedestrian was struck by a train and killed early Thursday morning near downtown Anderson.
The victim was identified as David Seybert, 21.
Anderson Police Department Detective Mitch Carroll, public information officer, said the department received a call around 5 a.m. from the engineer of a westbound train. The engineer spotted someone lying inside the railroad tracks near the 1600 block of Jefferson Street.
“The person failed to respond to several blasts from the train’s whistle,” Carroll said. “Emergency personnel responded and located the body of a male subject who, it appeared, had been struck by the train.”
After the engineer put on the brakes, the train finally stopped near the intersection of 17th and Locust streets. It was stopped on the south side of downtown Anderson for more than three hours Thursday morning, blocking traffic along north-south roadways as far as Walnut Street.
Meanwhile, officers from the police department and Madison County Coroner’s office investigated the scene. Carroll said police want to know how and why the victim ended up on the tracks.
Darrick Miller lives on the southeast corner where Jefferson Street meets the rail line. He said the incident practically took place in his back yard.
“That’s somebody’s child,” Miller said. “Parents don’t have to bury their children. They shouldn’t.”
Miller said he went to bed around 11 p.m. Wednesday and never heard any commotion outside. He was awakened shortly after 4:30 a.m. by the flashing lights of emergency vehicles.
He said investigators set up orange cones marking the point of impact. The victim’s identification and other personal items were found in the cracks between the rails and surface of Jefferson Street.
Mark Davis, director of corporate relations and media for Union Pacific. said the train was operated by CSX, not Union Pacific, as originally reported. He said the lead engine was a Union Pacific, which may have led to the confusion.
Contact Justin Schneider: 640-4809, justin.schneider@heraldbulletin.com
