Man Killed By Train In Smithfield

SMITHFIELD — A Smithfield man was hit and killed by an Amtrak passenger train Thursday morning.

Police say James Earl Daughtry, 33, was walking along railroad tracks near downtown anout 11:25 a.m. when he was struck by a northbound train at the crossing at Hancock and North 11th streets.

Witnesses say that Daughtry, who is hearing impaired, was bending down to pick up a railroad spike.

Investigators say that his inability to hear the train was likely the cause of the accident.