FELA Lawyer News Blog

FRESNO, CA – On Sunday, October 17, 2010 a man was killed after walking into the path of a moving freight train in Fresno, CA.

The city of Fresno is in Fresno County, California in the central part of the state, about 172 miles southeast of Sacramento.

The accident happened at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at the railway crossing at North Palm and East Dakota Avenues in downtown Fresno.

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The victim was identified as 44-year-old Johnny Mancha, from Fresno.

Police interviewed the conductor and although it is not clear exactly why Mancha stepped in front of the moving train, the conductor was confident that it was not an accident. Police say the conductor saw the man standing next to a bicycle and for some reason it appears that he just walked out in front of the train.

Police detectives are investigating the accident and are looking into all possibilities, from the victim being preoccupied with something to being suicidal. It does not appear that any foul play was involved.

All of the train signals, crossing arms and other safety devices appeared to be working properly at the intersection.

A bicycle was found near the tracks that Police believe belongs to the victim. He was not on the bike when he was struck by the train.

Below is a Google street view of the railway crossing at Palm and Dakota. You can click the mouse and get a full 360° view of the scene of the accident.

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Train traffic was shut down for several hours after the incident. Traffic was stopped at the intersection of Palm and Dakota and also where the tracks cross Shields Ave.

Less than two weeks ago at a different location in Fresno, there was another fatal accident involving a 12 year-old boy who crossed the path of a train.

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Published by FELA lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP

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