Multiple railroad crossings reopened Tuesday after being closed following a fatal train-pedestrian collision in Kent, police said.
The crash occurred near 1st Avenue South and East Willis Street (SR 516) around noon, according to Puget Sound Fire, which responded alongside Kent police.
Kent police confirmed one person died in the collision but have not provided additional investigation updates.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad closed several railroad crossings along 1st Avenue South during the investigation but has since reopened them.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety near railroad tracks in Kent, where multiple train lines intersect with heavily traveled roadways. The area around 1st Avenue South sees frequent freight and passenger rail traffic creating numerous crossing points where pedestrians and vehicles interact with trains.
Fatal train-pedestrian collisions typically result in extended investigations as authorities examine circumstances including train speed, crossing signal operation, pedestrian positioning, and visibility conditions. BNSF coordinates with local law enforcement during such investigations to determine contributing factors.
The temporary crossing closures disrupted traffic flow through the area during afternoon hours, affecting both vehicular and pedestrian movement in Kent’s downtown corridor.
