Another man killed by train

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — A 28-year-old Milan man was killed by an eastbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe train about 9:30 pm., Wednesday night, Grants Police said.

Detective Sgt. John Castaneda, spokesman for the department, said Terrell Curley was walking on the track, possibly with his back to the oncoming train when he was struck at the Grants western city limits.

“There was no indication of alcohol,” he said, “and, we don't think it was a suicide.”

“I think people hear the train whistles all the time and ignore them, it is possible he heard the train but it didn't register with him,” he said.

“When the train rounded a curve, it did not have time to stop,” he aid.

BNSF spokeswoman Lena Kent told the Independent previously that it takes up to a half a mile for a freight train to stop, sometimes further, depending on the speed and weight of the train.

“I think it was just a fluke accident,” Castaneda said.

This is the eighth person to be hit by a train since July in the Grants-Gallup area.

— To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 285-4560 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent
@yahoo.com.