Pedestrian struck and killed by train near V Street in Merced, police say

Authorities say a pedestrian died Sunday after being struck by a train in Merced.

At about 9:10 a.m., officers responded to the area of V Street and 15th Street for a report of an accident involving a train and a pedestrian, according to Merced Police Sgt. Nathan McKinnon. Arriving officers located the pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said a freight train was traveling westbound through Merced on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks at the time of the accident, which was reported by the train operator. Authorities said it is unknown what the pedestrian was doing on the tracks and the Union Pacific railroad police is the agency investigating the incident.

According to police, a nearby train crossing and intersection were closed for approximately two hours after the acident until the train was able to be moved.