Centralia Man Dies After Being Hit by Train

A 66-year-old Centralia man died when stepping in front of an Amtrak train just north of the Broadway crossing in downtown Centralia Tuesday night. Marion County Coroner Claude Howell has identified the man as Joel Firebaugh. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Deputy Coroner Todd Schultze.

Centralia Police Lt. Steve Whritenour says the train was slowing as it was coming into the Centralia Depot but was still traveling an estimated 32 miles per hour.

Amtrak reports the train had 47 crew and passengers. No one was injured on board. City of New Orleans was delayed about an hour as the initial investigation was completed.

An investigation is ongoing by Centralia Police and the Marion County Coroner’s office. The Centralia City Fire Department assisted at the scene.

The body was transferred to the SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital Morgue by Lifestar Ambulance.

The call reporting the incident was received at 8:32 pm.

The Federal Railroad Administration notes that criminal trespass to railroad right-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in the U.S.