Merced County Sheriff investigating two pedestrian vs. train deaths in less than a week

Authorities are investigating the death of a man who was struck by a train along Sate Fe Drive in Merced County on July 4, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to incident at about 3:37 p.m., along the BNSF railroad tracks across from the La Cascada Night Club, according to Deputy Daryl Allen.

Allen said an Amtrak engineer reported seeing the man, identified as Tucker Leavett, 22, of Merced, get on the tracks before being struck by the train. Leavett was pronounced dead at the scene.

Allen said the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and BNSF Police are investigating the death.

This is the second person to have been struck and killed by a train in the county in one week, according to Allen.

Allen said the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the death of a 68-year-old Winton man who was struck and killed by a train in the area of Santa Fe Drive and Walnut Avenue on June 30.

This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 1:30 PM.