MONTICELLO – A Lawrence County pedestrian was struck and killed by a train late Monday night in Monticello, authorities said.

     David Wayne Mullins, 46, of 1264 Divide Road, Jayess, was on a rail line when he was struck by a northbound CN freight train, killing him instantly, said Lawrence County Coroner Sidney Fortenberry.

     The accident was reported by CN to the Monticello Police Department at 10:09 p.m., said Chief David Stanley. Fortenberry arrived at approximately 10:40 p.m. and pronounced Mullins dead on the scene.

     The accident occurred near Hollis Street, Stanley said. No witnesses to the accident have been found yet.

     “This particular section of the rail, though it’s in town, is very, very dark,” Stanley said.

     The cause of the accident remains under investigation. It’s unclear whether Mullins was walking on the tracks or had fallen down at the time of impact, according to Monticello Fire Department reports.

     Mullins’ body has been sent to Jackson for an autopsy, Fortenberry said. Toxicology samples will be drawn there and sent to the Mississippi Crime Lab to determine if alcohol played a role in the accident.

     “That will probably take several weeks to get all that back,” Fortenberry said.

     The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office was able to contact some family members Monday night, Fortenberry said. Funeral home arrangements are pending.