CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One person was killed in a crash involving a train in Charlotte's Plaza Midwood neighborhood early Wednesday morning, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.
According to CMPD, the crash happened in the 900 block of Louise Avenue, near the intersection with Central Avenue. It happened around 3 a.m. When officers arrived at the scene of the crash, they were told a pedestrian had been hit by a cargo train. The pedestrian, identified as 45-year-old Carvoia Patton, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said their initial investigation revealed that Patton was lying on the railroad tracks as the train approached. The engineer and conductor sounded the train's horn multiple times and began to slow before putting the train into emergency braking as Patton made no attempt to move.
Investigators said speed is not a factor in the crash but impairment is suspected from Patton. A toxicology report is pending.
Central Avenue was closed for several hours at Louise Avenue while detectives investigated the crash and crews cleared the scene. Central Avenue reopened just before 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.
WCNC Charlotte has a crew at the scene to gather more details. We will have live updates throughout the morning on Wake Up Charlotte. For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app.
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