Amtrak hits, kills person in Garner; 4th pedestrian death involving trains in a week in central NC

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- One person is dead after being hit by an Amtrak train in Garner, Thursday morning.

Garner police tell ABC11 News it happened around 10:33 a.m. near the Jones Sausage Road crossing.

Garner Police Capt. David Casteline says the investigation is still in its early stages.

"Trying to piece together what this person was doing before this crash occurred. And where they exactly were," he said.

The Amtrak train eventually left around 1 p.m.

Garner police have not released the identity of the victim who died after being hit by the train.

This is the fourth deadly incident involving a train in central North Carolina in a week.

An Amtrak train killed a pedestrian in Durham near Duke's campus on Wednesday. A CXS train hit and killed a person on the tracks in Johnston County on Sunday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

"It takes (these trains) sometimes close to a mile to come to a stop," said Casteline. "They can't immediately stop if a person is on or near a track."

Data from the US Department of Transportation says that in 2024, 21 people died in North Carolina after trespassing on railroad tracks.

After recent incidents in the Triangle, the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) shared safety tips as part of its BeRailSafe initiative.

1. All railroad tracks are private property, and trespassers can be arrested or fined, according to the North Carolina General Statutes.
2. Never walk or ride a bike on or near the railroad tracks. Tracks are not a shortcut.
3. The only safe, and legal, place to cross railroad tracks is at a public crossing designated with either a rail crossing sign, flashing red lights or a gate.
4. It takes a train traveling at 55 mph more than a mile to stop - that's more than 18 football fields.
5. Never drive around lowered gates. It's illegal and deadly.
6. Never stop a car on the railroad tracks. If you stop to wait for a train at a traffic signal, always stop safely behind the white line.
7. If your vehicle gets stuck on the tracks, get out and call the number on the blue and white sign posted on the crossing gate.

Another important tip: Be mindful of your surroundings and stay off your cellphone near train tracks.