Freight Train Strikes, Kills 30-Year-Old Man

A 30-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a freight train Sunday morning in Simi Valley, authorities said.

Robert Whitaker of Simi Valley was pronounced dead about 2 a.m. The incident, which was being investigated as an accident, occurred in the 1500 block of Los Angeles Avenue, according to Simi Valley Police Sgt. John McGinty.

The train was heading north to San Luis Obispo at about 40 mph when it struck Whitaker, McGinty said. The engineer saw the man about a quarter-mile ahead and tried to stop the train, authorities said.

Just before the impact, Whitaker moved as if he were preparing to jump out of the way. But the cattle guard on the front of the train struck him in the head and he suffered major head trauma, according to Robert Snyder, field operations supervisor for MedTrans Ambulance.

Whitaker was thrown about 30 feet in the air and slid about 30 feet before coming to rest on the north side of the railroad tracks. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Waitresses from a nearby bar on Donville Avenue told investigators that Whitaker had been drinking at the bar prior to closing.

Dr. Ronald O’Halloran, Ventura County medical examiner, conducted an autopsy Sunday afternoon.

Tom Whitaker of Simi Valley described his cousin, Robert, as a “real good person” but added that he did not live full time in Simi Valley and that it had been some time since the two had spent time together.

Whitaker spent Christmas 1995 at his cousin’s house. “All the times I’ve been with Robert we’ve had a real good time. He was a fun-loving guy,” said Tom Whitaker.