Man Killed at Amtrak Crossing 'Thought He Could Make It'

ROYAL OAK, MI – Royal Oak police said Monday that alcohol was likely a factor in the death of a 26-year-old Florida man who was struck by an Amtrak train at South Main and Sixth streets early Saturday morning.

The victim, identified as Hosam Elghannam, 26, ignored a lowered crossing arm at the CN Railroad tracks just before 1 a.m. Saturday morning, Royal Oak police said in a statement.

“Several witnesses indicated that the train was sounding its horn and the railroad crossing was active and working properly at the time of the incident,” police said.

Elghannam was pronounced dead at Beaumont Hospital – Royal Oak.

Royal Oak Police Lt. Dave Clemens told The Daily Tribune that Elghannam, who lives in the Orlando area with his family, was in Royal Oak to help a friend move. He was with some friends in downtown Royal Oak and was on his way to another nightspot when the accident occurred.

Clemens said “it appears he thought he could make it” across the track ahead of the train.

“There are no indications it was a suicide,” Clemens said.

The Royal Oak Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and CN Railroad police investigated the fatality.