Man Killed By SMART Train Had Drugs In System: Rohnert Park DPS

ROHNERT PARK, CA — Toxicology results indicate a 29-year-old man who was fatally struck Aug. 30 by a SMART in Rohnert Park had methamphetamine, amphetamines and cannabis in his system at the time he walked into the path of a northbound train, officials with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said Tuesday.

Investigators believe his level of intoxication coupled with listening to music on his headphones, is what lead to Joseph DeFrates being distracted and not acknowledging the oncoming train at about 5 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Golf Course Drive crossing, officials said.

DeFrates' body was found away from the tracks near a fence, RPDPS Cmdr. Aaron Johnson said.

The Department of Public Safety closely examined video from the train and spoke to DeFrates family and witnesses, Johnson said.

DeFrates, of Round Rock, Texas, was walking eastbound near the train crossing as the train was traveling north at approximately 66 mph, Johnson said.

The train engineer saw DeFrates approaching the grade crossing and sounded the train horn, but DeFrates was looking down and did not make any movement to indicate he recognized his proximity to the tracks, Johnson said.

"Unfortunately, based on where DeFrates was located, he was struck by the left front corner of the train," Johnson said.

Four people have died when struck by a SMART train since the service started in August 2017. Two of the deaths are considered suicides.

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Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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