Man Killed By Amtrak Train In Fairfield Identified
FAIRFIELD (CBS SF) - The Solano County coroner's office has identified a man who was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in Fairfield on Tuesday afternoon as 21-year-old Vacaville resident Robert Bates.
Police said Bates was walking along the tracks near the 2200 block of Huntington Drive around 1:35 p.m. Tuesday when the passenger train hit him.
Fairfield police Officer Cleo Mayoral said all evidence indicates the death was an accident but that officers are still investigating the case.
Mayoral said Bates had an iPod and headphones with him, but police have not confirmed he was wearing the headphones at the time he was struck.
Amtrak employees on the train saw Bates walking with his back to the train and told police that although they activated brakes and sounded horns, Bates did not move out of the way and they were unable to stop in time.
Police are reminding the public that walking on train tracks is not only dangerous but is a criminal offense.
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