Southbound Amtrak in Salem Strikes and Kills Pedestrian

The train was delayed at the scene while the matter was investigated for a little over an hour.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Just prior to 12:30 Saturday morning, Salem Police received a report that a train had struck a pedestrian just south of Silverton Rd NE.

Salem Police Lt. Birr says officers arrived to discover that a southbound Amtrak train had struck and killed 46-year old Terry Schoonmaker, a transient.

Birr says evidence at the scene indicated that Terry Schoonmaker had been drinking beer just east of the railroad tracks.

"For reasons unknown, he left behind a partially consumed beer and backpack and walked directly into the path of the on-coming train," Birr said.

The train was delayed at the scene while the matter was investigated for a little over an hour.