Trespassing: train tragedy
Death of Jon Gregoire marks third fatality on James River trestle in three years
TRESTLE — Approximately 1,800 feet of Norfolk Southern train track runs above the James River, and pedestrians are banned from the track. Photo credit: Alyssa Bockman
The death of Liberty University senior Jon Gregoire, 21, Saturday, Nov. 8 marked the third train-related death at a trestle in downtown Lynchburg in the past three years.
Gregoire was pronounced dead at the scene of the trestle after being struck by a northbound, mixed-freight train around 4 p.m.
The trestle lies 200 feet above the James River and spans 1,800 feet across the width of the river. Between 20 and 30 trains cross the trestle, which connects Lynchburg and Madison Heights, every day.
Almost exactly three years ago, Liberty freshman Hannah Williams, who was 18, was killed at the same trestle when she was hit by a train. In October of 2012, a Lynchburg man died the same way.
At least five other people, including four Liberty students, were injured in two of the three incidents.
VIOLATION — Trespassing is a class four misdemeanor in Virginia. Photo credit: Alyssa Bockman
In the case of Gregoire, no one knew he and others were on the trestle until the train operator spotted them, according to Robin Chapman, spokesman for Norfolk Southern Railway. At that point, the train operator could do nothing to prevent the collision.
“By the time the train crew sees someone on the trestle, it’s too late to stop,” Chapman said. “The train operator will sound the horn, put on the emergency brakes, but physics just won’t let it happen.”
According to Chapman, signs marked “No Trespassing” are posted on both sides of the one-track-wide trestle.
“We’ve got fences up there,” Chapman said in a News & Advance article. “We’ve got great big signs warning them of the dangers, that it’s dangerous and illegal.”
Chapman explained that the south end of the trestle is not easily accessible in an article on WDBJ 7’s website. According to Chapman, access to the trestle is blocked via a chain-link fence and double-locked gate. On this end of the trestle, two large signs explain the dangers of entering the trestle and that deaths have occurred at the location in the past.
The north end of the trestle is easily accessible, however. Only signs marked “No Trespassing” warn pedestrians against entering the trestle, the article states.
According to the News & Advance article, violations of the railroad’s 50-200 feet right-of-way, except at public or private crossings, are considered trespassing and can be punished as a class four misdemeanor under the Code of Virginia.
BROWN is the editor-in-chief.