By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
A 24-year-old student pilot stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base has been identified as the man struck and killed by a train on railroad tracks south of Del Rio early Tuesday.
Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Gina Garcia, who heads the sheriff’s office criminal investigations division, today identified the deceased as 2nd Lt. James Mwailenge Chitika, 24, of Atlanta, Ga., a student pilot stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base.
“The identification was made through our medical examiner, Dr. Stern, and fingerprints,” Garcia said.
She said Chitika’s next of kin have been notified of his death.
Garcia said an investigation, involving the sheriff’s office, railroad police and the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, has determined some of Chitika’s movements prior to his death.
“We know that he was walking on the railroad tracks, when he was struck by an Amtrak train traveling eastbound, toward Del Rio,” Garcia said.
Garcia said Chitika was killed when he was struck by the train.
Garcia said sheriff’s office investigators heading the inquiry into Chitika’s death are still awaiting videotape of the incident from Amtrak.
“Mr. Chitika’s vehicle was located downtown by Main Street and Broadway, and he apparently walked toward the train tracks from there,” Garcia said.
Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez said the investigation into Chitika’s death is ongoing.
“We may end up with some unanswered questions,” the sheriff said.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
