Man on railroad tracks killed by train 12/24/98

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Thursday, December 24, 1998

Story last updated at 10:21 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 1998

Man on railroad tracks killed by train

By Shannon Womble
Times-Union staff writer

A transient was killed by a freight train yesterday morning in an apparent suicide, police said.

The 40-year-old man was lying on the railroad tracks at River Oaks and St. Augustine roads, resting his head on a pillow, when the train hit him, homicide investigators said. He also had a radio near him.

Police didn't release the man's name, pending notification of relatives.

CRIME NEWS

FAKE CALLS: A woman who police said dialed 911 and faked an injury in order to receive a visit from rescue workers she thought were attractive was in jail yesterday.

Lori Ann Warner, 32, of Dunedin was charged with making false 911 calls. She was being held in the Duval County jail on $2,500 bond.

Police were called Tuesday to the 2000 block of Post Street by fire and rescue personnel. Firefighters said they could not find anything wrong with the woman and told officers she frequently calls 911 for medical help without reason.

The woman told police she called 911 about 30 times because she thinks the emergency personnel who respond to her calls are cute.

IN OTHER NEWS

ST. JOHNS CRASH: A Palm Coast driver died after a car crash south of St. Augustine yesterday, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Joseph Luckett, 71, was killed as he attempted to make a left turn from northbound U.S. 1 onto Southpark Boulevard about 8 a.m. Police said a car ran a red light and crashed into Luckett.

The driver of the second car, Christopher J. Morgan, 27, of St. Augustine also was injured. He was treated at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine and released.

The crash is under investigation.

MAN'S BODY IDENTIFIED: The body discovered in a creek bed Sunday has been identified as that of a missing man, homicide investigators said.

Stephen R. Touchton Jr., 21, was discovered Sunday by a 10-year-old boy and his uncle as they walked behind some homes in the 1300 block of Pate Road West. His body was badly decomposed.

Police said the man had been reported missing by his family Dec. 1, but he was last seen alive the weekend before Thanksgiving. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Anyone with information should call detective J.E. Floyd at 630-2318.

PHONE BOOTH STOLEN: A full-size telephone booth, with sidewalk mounts, worth $2,000 was reported stolen yesterday on Jacksonville's Westside.

An employee of Telaleasing Enterprises, told Jacksonville police the phone booth was stolen Dec. 16 from the sidewalk in front of 2595 Edison Ave. The employee searched the neighborhood and found the remains of the booth nearby. An unsuccessful attempt had been made to open the money compartment.

Times-Union staff writer John Dunbar contributed to this report.