IMLAY CITY -- Update: Friday, 10:38 a.m.
Friends and family are remembering Tomas on Facebook. The R.I.P. Tomas Rodriguez Page has nearly 800 friends (at time of this post). Each person has left a memory, though, or prayer for the child whose life was taken Thursday morning.
Update: Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
A middle school student in Imlay City was killed this morning after being hit by a train.
Police tell us 11-year-old Tomas Rodriguez was walking to Imlay City Middle School when he was struck by an Amtrack train as he crossed the tracks near Third and Handley. The accident occurred at about 7 o’clock this morning.
Railroad police and signal technicians were at the scene today testing the signal equipment to make sure it was functioning properly at the time of the accident.
12-year-old Antonio Martinez was walking with Tomas Rodriguez’s just before the unthinkable happened.
“[He was] a really good friend, we went everywhere together, like everywhere,” says Martinez.
Martinez says Rodriguez was behind him when the “do not cross” signals began to flash.
"Right when I passed the signals were down," says Martinez.
Antonio says he crossed anyway. Tomas followed behind.
"When I looked back I didn't really see him. I was looking around to see if he went the other way," says Martinez.
Tomas Rodriguez never made it across the tracks.
Officer Roger Czap was at the scene when Rodriguez’s father was given the devastating news. He says accidents involving children are particularly heartbreaking.
"I defy you to be detached, nobody thinks their child should go first," says Officer Czap.
A district crisis response team was at Imlay City Middle School today to help grieving students cope with the loss of their classmate.
This incident is still under investigation. If you have any information, please call the Imlay City Police Department.
A sixth grade child has been struck and killed by a train in Imlay City, according to the Associated Press.
The report says Tomas Rodriguez was walking to the middle school Thursday morning when the accident happened. The Flint Journal reports that a crossing gate was down and lights were flashing
Police are investigating how the incident happened. Crisis teams are on hand at the school to help students and staff members in this difficult situation.
NBC25 is heading to Imlay City, and will have more details as they become available.
