Jul 21, 2010 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A Connellsville man, often seen walking the city streets, was found dead Tuesday along the CSX railroad tracks after being struck by a westbound train. Richard Dawson, 68, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office at 11:25 a.m.

An autopsy was being performed Tuesday afternoon by Pittsburgh forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, according to the county coroner’s office.

He was found just steps away from the entrance into the apartments above the Sidewinder’s bar on Water Street where he lived.

Police detective Lt. Steven Shaffer, who is conducting the investigation, said it has yet to be determined if Dawson’s death was an accident or intentional.

“There were people that saw him in the area 15 or 20 minutes before the call came in, but no one has come forward as an eyewitness to the accident,” said Shaffer. “Did he trip and fall? Was it intentional? At this point we don’t know, and unless we have someone that actually saw what happened, we might never know for sure.”

Connellsville health and code officer Tom Currey said as he was traveling along Water Street when he spotted a body lying along the railroad tracks.

“The train that had apparently struck him had already gone by and another train was approaching,” said Currey. “I was able to flag the (second) train down and stop it and called 911.”

Shaffer said that the engineer of the westbound train was not aware the accident had taken place until he was later notified.

It is unknown where the train was bound or its payload. Shaffer said that the train did have three engines and was pulling approximately 44 cars.

“It couldn’t have been going very fast as it was just leaving the yard,” he said.

Dawson has resided in Connellsville since 2001. According to Shaffer, he has no immediate family living in the area.

“Everyone in the police department knew him,” said Shaffer, adding that Dawson was considered a private person, but often would enter into lengthy conversations with officers or others he happened to encounter.

“He was a character.”

Shortly after the news began to spread through the city, crowds gathered near the yellow police line tape that had been placed by officers to keep onlookers away from the scene. Others stood along the Crawford Avenue bridge.

Domer Knopsnider rushed to the nearby intersection of West Apple and Water streets when he learned that other family members could not reach an uncle.

“They said that (the victim) was dressed like my uncle and thought it might have been him,” said Knopsnider as he tried to look past the police and fire vehicles lined on the street. “And we haven’t been able to locate him.”

Another family member was relieved to learn a family friend had spotted Knopsnider’s uncle just minutes before stopping at the accident scene to give her the news.

“I’m so glad,” she said. “At the same time, I’m sorry for this man’s family.”

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call police at 724-628-2501, ext. 114.

In addition to police and the county coroner’s office, the Connellsville Fire Department, Connellsville Police Auxiliary, Fayette EMS and state police responded to the accident.