Homeless Man Struck, Killed by Union Pacific Train

RICHMOND, CA – A homeless man was struck and killed by a Union Pacific train on New Year's Eve in Richmond, according to a spokesman for the company.

The train struck the victim, identified by the Contra Costa County coroner's office as 47-year-old Donald Wallace, around 5 p.m. Saturday near Parr Boulevard and Radiant Avenue, Union Pacific spokesman Justin Jacobs said in an email.

According to the coroner's office, the incident appeared to be accidental but the cause is still under investigation.

Jacobs said, "The safety message here is that pedestrians, and everyone, need to be very aware of the hazards associated with trains and should never be on the train tracks or attempt to cross anywhere other than
at a designated crossing when signs and signals permit."

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--Bay City News/Image via Renee Schiavone, Patch