MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — A recent high school graduate was killed by a train on Thursday, which is the sixth death involving a train in the last 30 days in Central Illinois.

It happened on North 15 Street and Piatt Avenue in Mattoon. Ed Schniers, the Coles County Coroner, said the death has been ruled a suicide. The woman who was identified was just 17 years old.

Mattoon Police Chief Sam Gaines said the call came in around 8:45 this morning. He said the teen was walking when she was hit. A few agencies showed up to the scene including the Mattoon Police Department, Mattoon Fire Department and Canadian National Railroad.
“Those things don’t stop fast. There’s a reason they don’t want pedestrians on the track and that is why by the time they see, it’s already too late to stop most of the time,” Gaines said.

He said cameras on the train and family and friends helped them determine the cause of death.

The United States Department of Transportation said there are a couple of things everyone should do to stay safe around a railroad crossing. This includes only crossing railroad tracks at designated walk ways, not crossing a railroad if red lights are flashing and never walking around or under lowered gates at a crossing.

For more information about how to keep yourself and your family safe around railroads and railroad crossings, visit the Department of Transportation’s website.