Police have identified the victim of Wednesday's fatal train accident in Fresno. It happened on an overpass near Shields and Van Ness. A man and woman were hit by the train. One was killed. The other is suffering from serious injuries.
The tracks were re-opened Thursday morning, following a fatal train accident Wednesday afternoon. Police say a BNSF train was traveling about 60 mph, when it struck two people.
53-year-old Virginia Palomino died at the scene.
"It's just unbelievable that something like that would happen to someone you've known for years."
John Salinas lived across the street from Palomino for 30 years. He was heartbroken to hear the news.
"It's very, very sad because she was a nice lady. She had kids that went with my grand kids to school."
Palomino had recently moved out of the house, but still kept in touch. Her son and cousin broke the news to Salinas Thursday morning.
Salinas say, "We lost a friend, we lost a good friend."
Police say Palomino's boyfriend was also struck by the train. He was taken to the hospital for serious injuries. During an interview, the man told investigators he and Palomino were walking home when they decided to cut across the tracks and beat the train.
Lieutenant Mike Doyle, Fresno PD says, "This has happened before where individuals who are walking along the train do get caught into a certain narrow area and they believe that there is clearance."
The accident wasn't much of a surprise to those living nearby. In less than a hour, we found two people walking along the tracks, despite the warning signs.
Ronnie Miranda says, "I see them all the time crossing during the day, riding their bikes and their skate boards. All the time."
For Carmen Orozco, the accident has been an eye-opener.
"I talked to my son and told him don't walk to the railroad because it's dangerous. I'm scared about that," says Orozco.
The identity of the male victim in this accident has not been released. Police say he is still in the hospital.
The last two accidents involving a train and a pedestrian in Fresno both happened in September of this year. Both victims in those crashes were killed.
TXT 24
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