Ephrata train death ruled as suicide

EPHRATA - The woman struck and killed by a train Saturday was identified as a 25-year-old Ephrata woman.

Cristina Celeste Hernandez's death Saturday morning was ruled as a suicide, according to the coroner's office. The ruling was based on interviews with train operators and a note found with her belongings, which included a backpack and crutches, according to the sheriff's office.

Ephrata police, Grant County deputies and AMR responded to the Amtrak Depot near Division Avenue East and Alder Street about 9:45 a.m. The victim's body was found about 100 feet from the depot.

Bystanders said they heard the brakes of the empty Burlington Northern Sante Fe coal train blaring as it approached the depot. The train was reportedly heading to Montana from British Columbia, according to Gus Melonas, of BNSF. Two trains were delayed about two hours following the incident.

Railroad crossings at Division Street and Nat Washington Way remained closed for several hours as investigators examined the area.

BNSF officials are still investigating the incident. Trains typically reach speeds of about 50 mph through Ephrata, according to BNSF officials.

This is the third train-related death since 2009 near Ephrata, with one involving a vehicle versus train collision in February of last year at the Division Street crossing and in 2009, a pedestrian was struck on the tracks about two miles out of Ephrata.