(The following story by Henry K. Lee appeared on the San Francisco Chronicle website on October 25.)
MARTINEZ, Calif. — The Union Pacific employee struck and killed by a freight train in Martinez was identified by the Contra Costa County coroner’s office today as Gerald Graichen, 59, of Sacramento.
Graichen died of blunt-force head injuries when he was hit by a Union Pacific train at about 12:35 p.m. Tuesday near Bridgehead and Mococo roads, not far from Interstate 680, authorities said.
The circumstances of his death are under investigation, said Union Pacific spokesman James Barnes.
Martinez police said Graichen had been working on the tracks before he was hit.
The fatality caused Amtrak service to be delayed by about an hour Tuesday, said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham.