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player ready...A Cedar Lake man died Monday after he was apparently struck by a train while walking on the CSX railroad tracks near 133rd and Parrish avenues, according to police.
A northbound Amtrak commuter train from Indianapolis reported a body between the rails in the 13000 block of Washington Street in Cedar Lake just after 8:30 a.m., according to Cedar Lake Deputy Police Chief Carl Brittingham. It is believed the man was struck by a southbound freight train, he said.
Douglas W. Drinnan, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Lake County Coroner’s office. The manner of death was listed as accidental and was certified at 9:30 a.m., according to the coroner’s office.
Brittingham said Drinnan’s body was discovered in a remote area where there are not any vehicle or pedestrian crossings.
“Currently, it is not known where Douglas was coming from or going, however it is speculated he was likely walking home on the tracks as his home was about a half mile to the north of where he was located,” Brittingham said.
Drinnan’s residence is adjacent to the railroad tracks, he said.
CSX and Amtrak officials responded to the scene along with Cedar Lake Police and will be assisting with the investigation.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.