A 43-year-old Allenport man was killed Friday after being struck by a Norfolk Southern train while crossing railroad tracks in a motorized wheelchair, according to the Washington County Coroner's Office.
The Mon Valley Independent reported that Anthony Michael Chilzer was struck at about 5:10 p.m. at the Bridge Street crossing in Allenport. The coroner said video recorded near the scene showed the crossing signals and gates operating at the time of the incident.
Authorities had not determined why Chilzer was crossing the tracks when the train approached. The cause and manner of death remained pending as investigators continued reviewing the circumstances.
The Washington County Coroner's Office, Norfolk Southern and Allenport police were investigating. Pennsylvania State Police, the Stockdale Fire Department and Rostraver EMS also assisted at the scene, according to the local report.
Railroad crossings can remain active even in small communities with relatively light road traffic, and investigators will be responsible for determining the exact sequence of events in this case. No conclusion should be drawn beyond the facts released by authorities.
The American Desk will update this report if investigators release additional verified information about the collision.