By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

ST. JAMES – A St. James woman was killed Wednesday morning when she was struck by a freight train while walking on the tracks, according to a release from State Police.

Eva Jeanette Martinez-Perez, 42, was pronounced dead on the scene by authorities investigating the accident, said Trooper Gilbert Dardar, a spokesman for State Police Troop C. The incident occurred near a crossing at Caze Street in St. James Parish.

The release states a Union Pacific train was traveling northbound approaching the intersection around 6 a.m. The train engineer, Tyrone Goodmond, 48, of Harvey, told authorities he had activated the train’s horn several times as he approached the crossing. As he hit the horn, the conductor noticed Martinez-Perez standing between the tracks with her back to the train as it approached. Martinez-Perez did not acknowledge the train’s approach.

Dardar said the train struck Martinez-Perez and then traveled about three quarters of a mile before coming to a stop.

Dardar said no charges were filed as a result of the crash.

He added the incident is still under investigation.