Phoenix Police detectives are investigating a fatal incident involving a pedestrian and a train near Van Buren Street and 19th Avenue.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, just after 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, June 5, 2024, officers were called to a pedestrian involved collision near Van Buren Street and 19th Avenue. Officers and fire personnel responded to the area and found a man, David Parrish, suffering from critical injuries. Phoenix Fire personnel pronounced Parrish deceased on scene.
Detectives learned that the 48-year-old Parrish was seen on the train tracks when a train moving south approached. The train signaled by blowing its horn causing Parrish to move off the tracks and out of the way. After the train stopped just south of Parrish, crew members readjusted switches and began to operate the train. It was at this time that Parrish was witnessed going back onto the train tracks to lay down and was fatally struck. After learning of the collision, the train operator stopped the train and emergency personnel were contacted.