Monday, September 21st, 2009
Police investigate Auglaize County pedestrian/train fatality as homicide
By Shelley Grieshop
The death of a 25-year-old Auglaize County man who was struck by a train in Cridersville early Saturday morning has been labeled a homicide - for now.
Nathan Hall was pronounced dead shortly before 3 a.m. near train tracks located approximately 75 yards south of the village's Main Street. The location, 200 Gay Street, is a well-traveled walking path within the village, not a street intersection, police said.
Cridersville police received a call about the incident at 2:45 a.m.
Police Chief John Drake told The Daily Standard this morning "we have no information indicating that someone else was there." However, that possibility hasn't been ruled out, he added.
"We've done a preliminary investigation and it's taken us in different directions," Drake said.
When asked if suicide was a possibility, Drake said officers are investigating every angle. An autopsy was scheduled in Lucas County today.
"We hope to have more answers by late this afternoon but we won't have details from the autopsy report for eight to 10 weeks," Drake said.
Police say alcohol is suspected as a factor in Hall's death. Drake said he believes Hall was under the influence of alcohol when he was struck by the train.
A bar/tavern is located near the accident site but it closed at 1 a.m. - approximately two hours prior to the accident, Drake said.
