Pedestrian deceased after being struck by freight train in Gainesville Oct. 9, 2023

Death Investigation – On Monday, October 9, 2023 at 2:55PM, crash investigators from the Prince William County Police Department responded to the area of Gardner Manor Pl. and Hillcrest Farm Ln. in Gainesville (20155) to investigate a pedestrian who was struck by a freight train.

According to Master Police Officer Renee Carr, Public Information Officer, the investigation revealed that the pedestrian was walking within the tracks as the train was approaching the above area. The train engineer sounded the train horn to warn the pedestrian, who continued to walk within the tracks before being struck by the train. Fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene where the pedestrian was pronounced deceased.

Based on information obtained by investigators, there are indications the deceased may have been intentionally walked along the tracks and made no attempts to move off the tracks as the train approached and sounded its horn repeatedly. Following the investigation, and due to the incident not occurring at a crossing, the case will be classified as a death, possible suicide.
        Identified:
          The deceased was identified as Emilio Maurisio RIVAS, 19, of Catlett