Deputies: Prairieville man killed by train as he lay on tracks

GONZALES — A Prairieville man died Saturday morning when he was hit by a southbound railroad train near Swamp Road in Ascension Parish.

A Kansas City Southern train ran over Ryan Freeman, 21, about 3:15 a.m. as he lay between the railroad tracks, Lt. Col. Bobby Webre of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The train’s conductor said Freeman never looked up or moved as the locomotive approached, Webre said.

Deputies were not ruling the death a suicide, Webre said in a phone interview.

Freeman was visiting a friend who lived on Swamp Road. The quickest way back to Freeman’s house on La. 621 would be to take a short cut along the railroad tracks, Webre said in a phone interview.

“This has happened before. It’s just somebody sits down on the tracks and falls asleep,” Webre said.

Freeman was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ascension Parish Coroner’s Office. The investigation into his death remains open pending autopsy results, Webre said.

Comments

1) Comment by Amber2009 - 25/03/2013

Wow. What a bunch of disrespectful people. I went to school with Ryan. He was a great man. A tragedy happened. Regardless to the how or why this happened he will be missed. The police are unsure if he was asleep or whatever might have happened to him. But still a good person lost his life. I would expect people to be a bit respectful to the situation and the fact that his friends and FAMILY will be reading this article and your comments. Everyone has their own opinions. But when it comes to loss and tragedy keep it to yourself.

2) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 18/03/2013

2 Johnprine6800 if you are what you say you are spill the beans or you have the right to remain silent. You are kinda like those folks that right after a celebrity dies, they use to meet them at Walmart just to talk. (see all the post after Mindy McCready died)

3) Comment by old yat - 18/03/2013

I am sure that law enforcement officials will quickly solve this case, it all points to Snidely Whiplash,once apprehended he will undoubtedly confess to this heinous deed.By the way,Johnprine,why don't you share the details of this event with us, maybe you do not want to explain what the"several other things"that you mention in your comment below are.Oh well,no matter what happened may this young man rest in peace and I am sure his friends and coworkers will miss him,some more than others.Seems to me that someone could have prevented this event from occurring in the first place.However as Johnprine6800 pointed out, it is no concern of ours!!!!

4) Comment by Duckyluve - 17/03/2013

At least he wasn't drinking and driving

5) Comment by Woody - 17/03/2013

friend don't let friends walk drunk

6) Comment by Johnprine6800 - 17/03/2013

He was drunk and decided to walk. Not sure if he passed out and was knocked unconscious or what. It's a sad situation. He was a good worker. I worked with him a good bit. He will be missed

7) Comment by Duckyluve - 17/03/2013

If Ryan had some medical reason for sleeping on rr tracks why not just come out and say it instead of saying you know what happened and stopping short of saying it? Was he drunk and passed out? Did he have sleep apnea?

8) Comment by Johnprine6800 - 17/03/2013

FYI.....if you knew more about what happened you would refrain from making such ridiculous assumptions. He could have been passed out...unconscious, or several other things. Myself and many others know what happened but the truth of the matter is none of your concern.

9) Comment by Whatnow - 17/03/2013

And now this conductor has to live with this... poor man.

10) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 17/03/2013

Lying down on a train track and going to sleep is what's uncalled for.

11) Comment by Johnprine6800 - 17/03/2013

You comment is uncalled for. Ryan was a coworker and a friend. Have a little respect, please

12) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 17/03/2013

"I hear that Train a comin' it's rollin' round the bend and I ain't seen the sunshine, since I don't know when"