Man dies on railroad tracks in Manassas

Friends of a 20-year-old Roanoke man found dead on railroad tracks in Manassas on Sunday told police he often traveled on the freight railroad.

Police said Bradley Schmidt and two other friends from Roanoke hopped a Norfolk Southern freight train bound for Manassas on Saturday.

All three were headed to a party, said city police spokesman Sgt. Tim Neumann.

A pedestrian walking along the tracks about 11 a.m. Sunday found Schmidt’s body near the 9400 block of Wellington Road, said Neumann.

Investigators tracked down information about a party in the 9500 block of Stonewall Road, and spoke with Schmidt’s friends, said Neumann.

“It appears the man left the party late Saturday night, alone, and was apparently struck while attempting to board a moving train,” said Neumann.

Schmidt’s friends, and others who were at the party, do not recall seeing Schmidt there after midnight, Neumann added.

The two men told police that they, along with Schmidt, frequently used the freight railroad to get around.

Norfolk Southern did not return a request for comment on this story.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 453 people were killed in 2008 after trespassing on railroad tracks in the U.S.

California reported the highest number of trespassing fatalities with 59, while Virginia reported none.

Over the summer, Metro was plagued by a series of fatalities caused when riders jumped in front of oncoming trains.

The string of incidents forced the transit system to launch a public information campaign in efforts of deterring would-be jumpers.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.