A man was killed Friday morning in Sauk Rapids Township when he stepped in front of a train and was hit, authorities said.
Dale John Fries, 54, of Sauk Rapids, was struck about 5:30 a.m. at a crossing near the junction of NE. River Road and N. Benton Drive. Fries' car had become stuck on the southbound tracks and he stepped onto the northbound tracks as a train approached. Witnesses in the train said they saw Fries standing outside his car and that the train applied its brakes and sounded its horn in an attempt to warn him of its approach. When the train arrived at the crossing, Fries walked in front of the locomotive and was hit, the Benton County Sheriff's Office said.
It was not immediately clear why Fries' vehicle was on the tracks. The crossing was impassable due to repair work and barricades had been set up to prevent cars from crossing. Evidence at the scene indicates that Fries drove around two sets of barricades and his car became stuck on the southbound tracks, Sheriff Troy Heck said in a news release.
The train did not hit Fries' vehicle.
Deputies confirmed that crossing arms, flashing lights and bells were working at the time of the collision, which is still under investigation.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
