A pedestrian was fatally struck by an Amtrak passenger train near downtown Kelso on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, prompting hours-long delays for riders and another round of questions about rail safety along the busy corridor through Cowlitz County.

FOX 12 Oregon reported the collision occurred just before 5 p.m. near the intersection of First Avenue and Church Street, a short distance from the Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center (Kelso–Longview station). The report cited information communicated to passengers after the train stopped, including that the person was “walking on or near the tracks” when they were struck.

The Kelso station is located at 501 S. First Ave. and serves as a transportation hub for the region, including Amtrak Cascades and Coast Starlight service, along with local transit connections. (Kelso station information: https://www.kelso.gov/628/Kelso-Train-Station)

What we know so far

  • When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, just before 5 p.m.
  • Where: Near First Avenue and Church Street in Kelso, close to the Kelso–Longview Amtrak station area.
  • What happened: A pedestrian was struck and killed by an Amtrak train, according to a report from KPTV/FOX 12 that included on-scene reporting from a passenger on the train.
  • What’s next: The incident remains under investigation by the relevant authorities; publicly available reporting did not identify the person who died.

FOX 12’s report: https://www.kptv.com/2026/01/18/amtrak-train-stopped-near-kelso-after-reports-pedestrian-hit-killed-by-train/

Why this matters locally

Kelso and Longview sit alongside an active rail corridor that carries frequent freight and passenger trains. When a death occurs on or near the tracks, it is not only a profound loss for a family and community—it can also expose gaps in the physical environment that make it easier for people to access dangerous rail right-of-way, whether by necessity, confusion, or crisis.

Rail safety is often discussed as an individual responsibility—“don’t walk on the tracks”—but the built environment matters. Safe routes, lighting, fencing, signage, and accessible crossings can determine whether people can move through their community without taking life-threatening shortcuts.

How to request crash data and public records

Washington’s statewide crash data and public disclosure process can help the public understand how incidents are tracked and what information can be obtained over time, including location and contributing factors when reports are available. WSDOT’s crash data overview and public disclosure portal are available here: https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/transportation-data/crash-data

If you’re near tracks in Kelso or Longview

If you routinely walk near the rail line, choose legal crossings and stay off the ballast and rails—even “quiet” stretches can have fast-moving trains with limited stopping distance. If you see someone on the tracks who appears disoriented or in danger, call 911 immediately.

Our condolences go out to everyone affected by Saturday’s death.

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