Polk County Man Killed By Amtrak Train

AUBURNDALE, FL — A 31-year-old Lake Alfred man who suffers from mental health issues was struck and killed by an Amtrak train Monday afternoon. The body of Jacob Logan Powell was foundone-half mile east of the crossing at Oakview Avenue and Old Lake Alfred Road, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said CSX Transportation called the sheriff's office at 12:20 p.m. to report the incident. Amtrak Train 98 was traveling from Winter Haven to Kissimmee at the time.

"The video from the train shows the train was traveling east on the tracks at 57 mph ... while the victim was walking westbound in the middle of tracks," the sheriff's office said, noting the speed limit was 60 mph. "After the train engineer activated the horn, the victim stepped to the north side of the tracks, just outside the rails."

The sheriff's office said Powell did not clear the path of the double-engine, nine-car train that was carrying 129 passengers.

"The Amtrak Train engineer advised he always sees Powell in that area and near Old Dixie Highway walking along the railroad tracks," the sheriff's office said. "He advised they always blow the horn and Powell moves away from the tracks for the train to pass."

Powell's family told investigators that he regularly walked along the train tracks to Auburndale.

"There is no foul play suspected," the sheriff's office said on Tuesday. "An autopsy will be conducted today."