A Woodland man was struck and killed by a train Monday evening near the intersection of West Scott Avenue and North Pekin Street in Woodland.
Teodulo Garcia Martinez, 31, died from blunt force traumatic bodily injuries, according to the Cowlitz County Coroner. The manner of death — whether it was an accident, suicide, etc. — is undetermined. The death investigation is ongoing and results from toxicology won’t be available for possibly two months.
Martinez was struck by a southbound Amtrak train at 5:19 p.m. Monday. He was not in a designated crossing and was trespassing, said Gus Melonas, spokesman for BNSF Railway. Dispatchers held the train for one hour, delaying six other trains.
The number of train fatalities in Washington is higher than it normally is, Melonas said. This is the 20th fatality on a BNSF Railway line so far this year and the 17th involving someone who trespassed on the tracks, he said. On average, there are 16 fatalities involving trespassing annually.
A relative said Martinez had headphones on and was listening to music on his way home from work as he crossed the tracks.
