CHOKEPOINTS

Man in wheelchair killed after being hit by train in downtown Puyallup

Oct 21, 2026, 5:00 PM | Updated: 6:34 pm

train puyallup...

The scene after two people were hit by a train in Puyallup. (Photo courtesy of entral Pierce Fire and Rescue)

(Photo courtesy of entral Pierce Fire and Rescue)

A 59-year-old man in an electric wheelchair was killed after being hit by a freight train in downtown Puyallup on Wednesday, according to KIRO 7.

The man was killed at the scene, and two people tried to help him off the tracks, Puyallup Police Captain Jeremy Hedrick told KIRO 7. He noted initial reports of an injured individual at the scene were incorrect.

The road and all railroad crossings reopened around 6 p.m., the Puyallup Police Department reported via X.

Central Pierce Fire and Rescue spokesperson Steve Richards initially told KIRO Newsradio that one person died and the other was taken to the hospital.

“The patient that was transported was awake, alert, and conscious, and transported to the nearest ER,” Richards said.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. at the N Meridian crossing. The road was blocked for around four hours.

Contributing: KIRO 7

Chokepoints

Amtrak...

Chris Sullivan

Amtrak opens new Seattle maintenance facility ahead of 2027 schedule

Amtrak has cut the ribbon on its new 100,000-square-foot maintenance facility in SODO, opening a building originally scheduled to debut in 2027.

1 day ago

Tacoma Narrows Bridge (2)...

Lexi Herda, KIRO 7 News

Expect major delays: Lanes closing on Tacoma Narrows Bridge for extensive repairs

Major lane closures are coming to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, starting this weekend.

2 days ago

copper wire theft lighting lakewood...

Chris Sullivan

Wire theft knocks out more lighting along I-5 in Lakewood

Here we go again. Thieves who ripped wire from Washington State Department of Transportation electrical boxes impacted drivers in Lakewood earlier this week.

2 days ago

othello crash sr 24...

MyNorthwest Staff

11 injured in work bus, semi-truck crash on SR 24 near Othello

At least 11 people were injured in a "critical incident" after a work bus and semi-truck collision on SR 24 near Othello Thursday morning.

3 days ago

wa toll...

Chris Sullivan

Get ready, drivers: Puyallup to Lynnwood could cost $54 in tolls

We're less than a year from the expansion of the express toll lane system between Renton and Bellevue, marking the start of segmented tolling.

3 days ago

revive I-5 tolls I-405 commute...

Nate Connors

Revive I-5 on Ship Canal Bridge to end 2 months ahead of schedule

WSDOT announced it has moved up Revive I-5's completion date to the weekend of Oct. 30, which is two months ahead of schedule.

3 days ago

Man in wheelchair killed after being hit by train in downtown Puyallup