CARMI – A Carmi man was killed after being hit by a CSX train at the Stewart Street railroad crossing near Brooks Drive in Carmi this morning.
Carmi Police responded and determined the man, identified as 46-year-old Joe A. Murphy, was dead. Witnesses told police Murphy was going east on Stewart Street as the train was also going east. When the train approached the crossing, the crossing arms were down and the warning lights were working properly. The train blew its emergency whistle as Murphy walked around the crossing arms onto the train tracks. Murphy was struck by the train which had already begun its emergency stop just as he reached the east side of the tracks.
The train continued its emergency stop and was able to quickly stop as it entered the 5th Street railroad crossing.
Railroad crossings at Burrell, Stewart and 5th Street were all blocked during the investigation.
The White County Coroner notified Murphy’s family and was able to release his name.
An autopsy will be done later.
All railroad crossings reopened just before noon.
Carmi Police were assisted by the White County Sheriff’s Office, White County Ambulance Service, White County Coroner’s Office and the Carmi Fire Department.
