GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Police in Grand Rapids are investigating after a pedestrian was hit and killed by a train.
Grand Rapids police say the deadly crash happened around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 24.
Police say officers were called to the railroad tracks near 240 Front Avenue for reports that a pedestrian had been hit by a train.
According to police, the pedestrian died at the scene.
The victim’s name is being withheld until family can be notified.
The crash is still under investigation.
We’ve learned the victim was staying at Exodus Place, a transitional housing space for people who are looking to reclaim their lives after leaving the prison system or recovering from a substance use disorder.
The medical director at Exodus Place says that makes a loss especially difficult, saying those who have already experienced trauma are even more vulnerable after a loss such as this.
“They have to want it, to stop. And we can help them. But at the same time, them being vulnerable puts them at risk in the community when they’re out. And that’s the part that’s scary,” said Jenny Tolonen, Exodus Place medical director.
Support staff is available to help the more than 100 men living at Exodus Place cope with the loss. The organization says deaths like this hurt their entire group, which is more like a family.
