On Thursday, February 13th, the Sheriff’s Coroner’s Division of the Contra Costa County Office identified Catherine Taylor, 72, of Oakley, as the woman killed by a train. The accident happened along the railroad crossing at East Cypress Road near Main Street, in California.

Investigators are still trying to piece together how Taylor got hit, and what she was doing along the rail tracks at 5:45 a.m. So far, they have obtained conflicting accounts from witnesses, and have ruled out some.

The deceased got discovered by first responders after they got a call about a woman who got hit by a train. The BNSF said Taylor didn’t get run down at the rail crossing, and police officers focused their attention on the south of the railroad crossing.

The accident led to the train, which was heading from the Bay Area to Illinois, getting detained for several hours. It was released at 10 a.m. after BNSF concluded its preliminary investigation.

Train-versus-pedestrian accidents happen quite often in California. Based on data released by the Federal Railroad Administration, train-related accidents happen more often in Los Angeles, CA, than anywhere else in the United States.

The FRA is responsible for collecting data on train-related accidents. It monitors, promulgate, and enforce safety regulations for train operators to follow all over the country.

The FRA identifies high-risk areas for pedestrian accidents and installs safeguards like fencing, or video surveillance systems to keep the public safe. The data collected by the agency does not include suicide situations, and those injured by train can bring a personal injury claim against the company.

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