By Staff
CASSOPOLIS - Cass County Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood Jr. reported Sunday that deputies responded to a fatal train-pedestrian accident approximately an eighth of a mile west of the intersection of M-40 and Arbor Street in Marcellus Township.
Train engineer Thomas Fairchild, 61, of Bellevue, stated he was westbound when he noticed a pedestrian ahead on the side of the tracks.
He thought it was probably a mushroom hunter this time of year.
Fairchild stated as he approached, the pedestrian ran toward the tracks and into the path of the train.
The victim was identified as Judith Lynn Smith, 41, of 23682 South Shore Drive, Edwardsburg.
She was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained during the accident.
The incident remains under investigation.
The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Marcellus Fire Department and Marcellus Ambulance Service.