San Rafael police: Train death was apparent suicide
A man who was struck and killed by a train in San Rafael apparently intended to be hit, police said Tuesday.
Authorities identified the man as a 54-year-old San Rafael resident.
The incident happened Monday afternoon on the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit tracks near North San Pedro Road. The train operator saw the man on the tracks, activated the horn several times and put the train into an emergency stop, but was unable to avoid him, said San Rafael police Sgt. Justin Graham.
“During the preliminary investigation, it was learned that the man had been witnessed on the train track just south of the North San Pedro Road grade crossing as the northbound train approached,” Graham said. “Based on facts obtained at the scene, it appears that the man purposely placed himself on the tracks with the intention of having the train hit him.”
SMART has had 18 fatalities, including six in Marin, since the service started in 2017, according to spokesperson Julia Gonzalez.
Suicide prevention counseling is available by calling 1-800-273-TALK or texting “connect” to 741741.