Train ‘screeches’ to halt in Miamisburg; pedestrian killed

A Norfolk & Southern train that struck and killed a 16-year-old pedestrian Friday night in Miamisburg hit the brakes quickly before striking the boy, according to one nearby resident.

“The train just came to a SCREECHING halt,” South Fourth Street resident Niki Arnold posted on Facebook late Frriday night. “It stopped quicker than I have ever seen it stop. I pray no one is hurt.”

Arnold noted “tons” of fire and EMS crews responded to the scene just after 7:40 p.m. on the railroad tracks near the 400 block of East Linden Avenue.

Jose Fernandez of Miamisburg was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a train on the tracks crossing Linden Avenue, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Police said the death is not believed to be a suicide.

This news organization has requested copies of the police report and the 9-1-1 calls.

After the accident, several streets were blocked off and the train did not move until about 12:30 a.m., Arnold said in a message Saturday.

“When it occurred, my daughter and I were in the back yard painting. It is normal for us to hear trains and at first we didn’t think anything of it,” she said.

“Then there was a loud screeching noise from what I assumed was the conductor hitting the brakes,” Arnold added. “After that there were several loud clanks that were the cars running into each other because the train had stopped. Initially we thought the train had come off the tracks.”

Neighbors — including Arnold — came to the scene to offer support for friends and family of the victim.

“Our hearts and our prayers are with them and I don’t think any of us can truly say we understand what they’re feeling but that doesn’t mean that our hearts and our prayers won’t be with them,” said Glenda Mesta of Miamisburg.

The teen’s body was taken by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.