UTICA, NY — There’s no easy way to say this one.

Around 8:00PM, crews from the Utica Police Department and Utica Fire Department were called out to the railroad tracks off Whitesboro Street near Handshake City after reports came in that a train had struck a person.

By the time first responders got there, it was already too late. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are now working the investigation with CSX Transportation, trying to piece together exactly what led up to this.

Right now, there’s more questions than answers.

Was it an accident?
Was the person on the tracks?
Did they even see it coming?

Those are the things investigators are digging into.

What we do know is this — trains don’t stop on a dime. Not even close. You’re talking thousands of tons moving fast, and once it’s coming, there’s no hitting the brakes and saving it last second.

And yet people still treat railroad tracks like a shortcut, like it’s just another sidewalk.

Tonight proves again that it’s not.

Someone lost their life out there. And somewhere, a family is about to get a knock on the door they’ll never forget.

If you’re anywhere near that area, stay clear and let crews do their job. There’s going to be a heavy presence while they work this scene.

We’ll update this story as soon as more details are confirmed.