Investigation ongoing in fatal train accident

The Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office and Union Pacific Railroad authorities are continuing an investigation into the death of a Harwood man struck by a train on Jan. 5, according to a Sheriff’s Office statement.

Jason A. Zumwalt, 38, died from injuries in the accident.

The Sheriff’s Office statement reads:

“On Jan. 5, 2020, at 2:18 p.m. members of the Gonzales Sheriff’s Office responded to the 15000 block of U.S. Highway 90 near County Road 279, for a pedestrian being struck by a locomotive.

Upon the arrival of deputies, it was discovered a male victim was laying on the ground and had suffered severe head injuries. The male victim was later identified as Jason A. Zumwalt, 38, of Harwood/Gonzales, Texas,” the statement reads.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales County deputies “assisted Union Pacific Railroad personnel with processing and securing the scene.” Gonzales County EMS attended to the victim who succumbed to the injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Jesse Almaraz.

“The deceased’s next of kin was notified upon their arrival to the scene,” according to the statement.