By Nathan C. Gonzalez The Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated: 02/04/2008 01:32:15 AM MST

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_8161871

Layton police detectives hope to learn whether a 19-year-old man, who was struck and killed by a train Saturday, was listening to an iPod music player when he died.

Nathan Lebaron, of Clearfield, was walking northbound about 200 yards from a railroad crossing south of 2200 W. 1800 North at 2:20 p.m. when he was struck from behind by a Union Pacific freight train, said Sgt. Paul Gardiner.

"The engineer said the kid was just walking northbound on the tracks," Gardiner said. "He sounded the horn, but [Lebaron] never turned around."

The engineer "locked up the brakes," but failed to stop the quick-moving train, Gardiner said. After striking Lebaron, the engineer called Clearfield emergency dispatch. Investigation of the incident was turned over to Layton police.

The collision forced the closure of the railroad tracks for four hours as police began their investigation.

Witnesses told police Lebaron seemed to be singing loudly and was swinging his arms before being struck, said Layton police officer Shawn Lewis.

During the investigation, police found an iPod that was still on. They think it may be Lebaron's.

"We are still investigating to see if other factors were involved in this," including whether the iPod was in use, Gardiner said. "That's what it looks like at this time."

Police do not suspect that Lebaron committed suicide, but are looking into it.

Police also warned against using music players when around heavy machinery.

"It's pretty much common sense that when you need to drive a car or are near trains or heavy machinery, that you shouldn't have earphones on," Gardiner said. "It does drown out the other sounds."

"That could have very well been a factor in this case," he said.

Railroad lines are private property and walking along them is trespassing, Gardiner said. The tracks where Lebaron was struck are owned by Union Pacific.

ngonzalez@sltrib.com

Submitted on 02/04/2008

Submitted by: Walt Haas
Reference: Salt Lake Tribune, 2/4/08

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Chip said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
Well, being killed by a train while stupidly walking on the tracks is nothing new. In fact it is way too common. But for some reason I like this write up, especially the part where he was swinging his arms and singing loudly. Amd that the police "do not suspect suicide" considering that. Doh! Thanks for the story, Walt. Let's see what the other moderators have to say about this one.

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Despite my personal opinion that most incidents involving trains are too common (there are literally thousands of pedestrian/train collisions a year in the US alone) I'll gladly vote DA for this one. How stupid do you have to be to crank up an ipod while walking down train tracks? Since the police don't suspect this is a suicide the only other explanation is Darwin grade stupidity. Thanks for sending this in, Walt.

Graham said:
Definitely Toss: Too Common
Again, no-one knows why humans walk on railway lines when drunk, talking on cell phones or listening to music with earphones. I think it is a definite syndrome and should be given a proper medical name.

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'm going to go with Bruce here and vote full DA. Somehow, I don't think it's suicide. he was probably just "rocking out" when the train hit. Yes, too common, but no one has ever been clocked by a train while flailing about and rocking out! Thanks, Walt!

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