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Pedestrian killed by train identified as Cal Poly student

February 18, 2016

Cal Poly LargeSan Luis Obispo police have identified 22-year-old Cal Poly student Thomas Tilton Stone as the man who was struck and killed by a train on Tuesday evening. Stone’s death appears to be an accident.

Around 5 p.m., Stone was walking on Foothill Boulevard near California Boulevard when he was hit by a north bound Amtrak passenger train. Stone was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Witnesses said Stone was wearing ear-buds and looking down at his cell phone as he walked into the path of the train. Stone walked past the crossing arms, which had come down, and he did not respond to the train’s horn, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Police say there is nothing to indicate Stone’s death was intentional or suspicious in nature. An investigation is ongoing, though, and investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the police department.

Stone was a senior business major from Vallejo. He was the third person and the second Cal Poly student to be struck and killed by a train in San Luis Obispo since the beginning of the year.

Two pedestrians were also struck and killed by trains in Santa Barbara County last month. The death of the other Cal Poly student who was hit by a train was ruled a suicide.

A memorial for Stone is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. at the University Union.


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I am so deeply sorry for this young man’s family. It is unimaginably hard to lose a loved one in an accident.


1

Indeed, ear buds + cell phone + disregard safety device was a bad choice. Agreed, people of all ages could do with learning to be aware of their surroundings. Ironic with all the ‘awareness’ of disease, people can’t be bothered to look up.

In this case, the guy was young. So very young. All those of you harping: you can’t tell me you weren’t young & stupid once. Really.


0

High time the city of San Luis Obispo adds trains to the long list of banned items.


0

So tragic and senseless. What we’re seeing is modern day natural selection. People so consumed in themselves and completely unaware of their surroundings and situational awareness. It’s prevalent all around us. People on city streets, in stores, driving, and on hiking trails with earbuds in, not giving a s**t about how they affect the safe passage and movement of others around them. This will not be the last. Nature will weed them out, slowly but surely.


0

Wait a minute! How about Cal Poly requiring that ALL students take a class on railroad safety, which includes not breaking the laws of trespassing and defacing railroad property, to possibly saving their lives?


When the alumni take said class, then they sign off on it which tells the Union Pacific and Amtrak that they’re aware of the dangers of doing unlawful acts and trespassing. In turn, if they disregarded the safety class that they took and still put themselves in danger by walking along the main line track and got injured, or killed, then it gives credence for the Union Pacific to give absolutely no reparations whatsoever for their continued stupidity.


0

Better offer that class to the homeless too.


0

This is so sad and needless. Ear-plugs and cell phones! People, when driving, crossing a street or railroad tracks please look up and pay attention!


My condolences to his family and friends and I sincerely hope someone, just one person maybe, learns from this.


0