HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — The man hit and killed by a train after he lost his balance while riding his bicycle on the track was identified as Marcell Eugene Morse, 59, of Richmond, according to Henrico County Police.
Morse was killed on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m. at the railroad crossing on Hungary Road near Oakview Avenue.
Police said it appeared Morse was riding his bicycle across the train tracks while the crossing arms were down.
"The gentleman on foot made it across the railroad tracks, unfortunately, for the gentleman, Mr. Morse, [he] didn't make it across the railroad tracks. I think he tripped on the bike or tripped over the railroad tracks, and was hit by an Amtrak train heading up with road," Henrico Police Lt. Shawn Kopelove said.
Cyclist John Wayne, who has lived in the area for about six years, rides his bike along Hungary Road multiple times a day.
"The trains, they always come about the same time," Wayne said, noting the crossing arms and lights always come down well before a train may be in sight.
Wayne said he's seen drivers ignore the crossing arm when it comes down.
"I see people go around it. I have. And I sit there and shake my head. Ain't worth it," Wayne said.
Police, and people living nearby, ask drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to stay patient if they see the crossing arms go down, warning for a train.
"A couple minutes out of your day to wait for a train is not worth trying to go around it and get hit by a train, because more than likely, it will result in a fatality," Kopelove said.
"A couple minutes here and there ain't worth it. Life is already short enough. Don't make it no shorter," Wayne said.
Kopelove said Henrico Police is working with the Medical Examiner's Office to determine if drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.
Amtrak travel was delayed Sunday afternoon due to the crash.
Anyone with information was asked to call Officer Holmes at 804-501-5000.
If you knew the victim, please email the CBS 6 Newsroom with condolences and memories to lend your voice to our reporting.
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