The man struck by a train late Monday morning at Seventh and B streets died not long afterward at Doctors Medical Center, police confirmed Tuesday. The victim has been identified as Jose Patlan Jr., 33.
The conductor estimates the southbound train was traveling 40 mph on the Union Pacific tracks just east of Seventh Street, said Modesto police spokeswoman Heather Graves.
Some initial reports indicated Patlan, riding a bicycle, was trying to beat the train to the crossing. That doesn’t appear to be the case, Graves said. “He did purposely go around the crossing arms,” she said Tuesday. “He was doing some sort of pattern (with his bike), but they don’t believe he knew the train was that close or that he heard the train coming.”
As medical responders were giving Patlan CPR at the scene, there were headphones around his neck, Graves said, but no one has confirmed seeing the victim use them as he rode.
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The train came to a stop on the bridge across the Tuolumne River, and Patlan’s twisted bike still was on the tracks after he was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Patlan’s family created a gofundme page to help with funeral expenses.
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