Pedestrian Fatally Struck By SMART Train Identified As Local Transient

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A man killed in a collision with a SMART train last week in Rohnert Park was identified as Christopher Thomas, 42, a transient who lives in Rohnert Park, the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner's Office told Patch.

Authorities were notified of the crash at 7:38 p.m. Thursday by a 911 caller, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety said.

A bystander called 911 advising that a pedestrian was struck by the SMART train on Golf Course Drive near the intersection of Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park DPS Lt. Matt Snodgrass said.

Officers found the man, later identified as Thomas, dead in the roadway, Snodgrass said.

Rohnert Park DPS along with the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office all responded and were involved in the investigation.

"At the time of the collision, it appeared the crossing gates were down, the red lights were flashing, and the warning bells and train horns were operational and functioning as designed," Snodgrass said.

"The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety extends our condolences to the family of the decedent during this tough time," Snodgrass said.

Authorities have not said whether there were any indications that Thomas may have intentionally been on the train tracks.

SMART recently announced it received a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to support suicide prevention and awareness initiatives. Grant funds have been allocated for various purposes, including purchasing signs with the telephone number for a suicide and crisis hotline. The signs were developed with Marin Health and Human Services and will be placed along SMART's railway routes and at rail crossings.

The number to call or text is 988.