Jefferson man killed by train
SHENANDOAH JUNCTION – A Jefferson County resident was struck by a CSX Transportation train near Ridge Road in Shenandoah Junction early Wednesday morning, according to a press release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
John Kinner, a 51-year-old resident of Ridge Road in Shenandoah Junction, was killed when the train struck him as he was walking to the Duffields MARC train station, according to the release.
Deputies R. Rjasko and M. Armel were dispatched to the scene by Jefferson County Emergency Communications at approximately 5:26 a.m. Wednesday. CSX employees showed officers the victim, who was lying on his back north of the tracks, according to the release.
The train, made up of four engines, was traveling east on Track No. 1, and while that track is normally used for westbound trains, there are switches that allow for change in train traffic flow, the release stated.
“According to the conductor, the train sounded its whistle per protocol prior to, at, through and after the intersection (at Ridge Road) when the victim did not turn his head or move out of the way of the train,” the release stated. “It is believed that Mr. Kinner thought the train would pass by him on his right as there was no train coming toward him.”
Kinner’s family told officers that he often walked to the Duffields station to catch the MARC train for his commute to work, and items found on Kinner, such as a cooler with lunch, were consistent with someone going to work, according to the release. The Jefferson County medical examiner pronounced Kinner deceased at the scene, with the cause of death being blunt force trauma.
“Law enforcement is not looking at this as a suicide, only as a tragic accident and (reminds) the public that walking along or inside of railroad property is illegal,” the release stated. The JCSD was assisted by CSX Police, the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency and the Shepherdstown Fire Department. Emergency units cleared the area by 7:30 a.m., and train services resumed afterward, according to the release.