Bill Robinson
Two Madison County men of nearly the same age died within minutes of each other Tuesday night of unrelated transportation accidents.
A 49-year-old Richmond man died around 7:10 p.m. when he was struck by a CSX train near the Four Mile Road crossing. A Berea man died about the same time when his pickup truck went off US 421 in the Jackson Hollow community north of Big Hill.
George Hornsby of North Estill Avenue was pronounced dead at 7:32 p.m. by Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison.
Hornsby, who lived a short distance from the accident scene, suffered multiple trauma and was killed upon impact with the train, the coroner said.
Cornelison said investigators had not determined a cause. Data was being downloaded from the train's electronic monitoring system and he had not yet interviewed the locomotive's engineer when he spoke.
Police officers, including Chief Larry Brock, diverted traffic from the Main Street, Irvine Street and Four Mile Road crossings while investigators examined the scene and extricate the body.
Traffic flow was restored around 10:30 p.m., Brock said.
William “Clay” Maupin, 47, of Berea, was pronounced dead at 7:22 p.m. by deputy coroner Carlos Coyle.
Maupin was ejected from the vehicle, and he died of blunt force trauma to the head and chest, Coyle said.
Kentucky State Police also investigated the accident.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or 624-6622.
