Woman Hit, Killed By Train in Athens

ATHENS, GA --A woman walking on railroad tracks was struck and killed by a train Thursday morning in Athens, police say.

Brandi Sue Darling, 31, who police say was homeless, was walking east on the tracks between Wynburn Avenue and Barber Street, near Athens' Boulevard neighborhood, according to a news release.

A CSX train was traveling in the same direction, shortly before 8 a.m.

Police say that when the conductor saw Darling on the tracks, he blew the horn, but Darling either did not hear the warning blasts or chose to ignore them.

The train's emergency brake was applied, but it couldn't stop the train in time.

Darling was hit and died at the scene, according to Athens-Clarke County Police.

Police say an investigation in the case is ongoing. They're hoping to determine whether the death was an accident, or intentional on Darling's part.