Drinking Party Among 3 Buddies Leads To Death Of Man Unable To Outrun Train

LITTLEROCK (CBS) — One man was fatally struck by a freight train east of Palmdale Saturday evening following a drinking party with two friends, according to authorities.

Edguardo Menez-Barrera, a 20-year-old Palmdale resident, was identified as the deceased, authorities said today.

Menez-Barrera was hit and killed by the train on the Union Pacific railroad bridge over Little Rock Creek, at 11:25 p.m. according to Lt. Cheryl MacWillie of the coroner's office and the sheriff's department.

"It's my understanding (Menez-Barrera) was sitting on the tracks with two friends drinking alcohol when the train came by," said sheriff's Lt. Brandon of the Palmdale station.

"Apparently, the other two men managed to get out of the way but (Menez- Barrera) was just too slow," Brandon said.

Menez-Barrera was struck near where the rail line from Lancaster to Colton crosses Little Rock Creek, north of East Avenue T and near an extension of 82nd Street East, said sheriff's Lt. Steve Sylvies of the Palmdale station.

He was declared dead on the spot, Sylvies said.

Brandon said he didn't know if the other two men had been interviewed by deputies about the train accident.

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