A recent graduate of the University was hit early yesterday by a train while lying on the tracks near Elliewood Avenue.
At around 4:10 am, the conductor of the train noticed Richard Rogers lying on the tracks about 100 feet away. The 150-car train was too heavy and moving too fast for the conductor to stop the train in time to avoid hitting Rodgers, said Timothy Longo, chief of the Charlottesville Police.
The conductor did attempt to alert Rogers, who was able to wake up and "somewhat roll off the tracks," said Longo. According to Longo, the train still hit Rogers' leg, which was seriously injured from his knee to his foot.
When police arrived, Rogers was "sitting up by the tracks holding his leg," said Longo. But, at the time when the accident happened, he was either "lying down or asleep on the tracks." Longo added that it appeared as though Rogers had been drinking before the accident occurred because he was still intoxicated when police arrived.
Ric Barrick, the director of communications for the City Manager's Office, noted that the conductor did everything in his power to avoid a tragedy.
"It could have been a lot worse if the train driver had not woken him using horns and lights," said Barrick."Before [the conductor alerted him] he was lying across both tracks."
According to Longo, Rogers is being treated at the University Medical Center but it is unclear if his leg will require surgery. He is expected to survive and the doctors also hope to save his leg.
Barrick said that the Hospital hopes to release Rogers in the next day or two.
Rogers did not return calls by press time.
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