Benson Police have ruled the death of a woman struck and killed by a train as accidental.
Police Chief Kenneth Edwards said officers responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a CSX train around 6:00pm Friday near the Hill Street crossing.
Officers discovered the victim, Melissa Brooke Boucher, who had turned 33 year-old last week, had been struck and fatally injured.
Chief Edwards said, “From interviews with CSX personnel, and reviews of the on-board video, it was apparent that the victim was on the tracks when she was struck. It is unknown at this time why the victim was there, but it was noted that that the deceased’s residence was immediately nearby.”
Edwards said the victim lived on East Hill Street.
“Our investigation has determined that no foul play was involved in this incident. In the absence of any additional information, the incident has been classified as an accidental death. This is, however, still an obviously tragic situation, and we would like to express our condolences to the Boucher family, on the loss of their family member. Our thoughts will be with them during this difficult time.”
A memorial service was held for Boucher on Monday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness in Dunn. Photos by John Payne
