(GDN) — Just after 9 PM on Thursday, Wayne County Communications received a call reporting a Norfolk Southern Railroad train collision involving a pedestrian. This incident occurred on the railroad tracks located in the 2700 block of Royall Avenue between Sunburst Road and Spence Avenue. The Goldsboro Police Department, Wayne County EMS, and the Goldsboro Fire Department were dispatched to the scene. Norfolk Southern Police also responded to the scene.

Once on scene, officers found 28-year-old Michael Allen Wheaton deceased. Wheaton was located on the south side of the railroad tracks, between the tracks and the wood line. Witnesses stated that Wheaton was walking west on the railroad tracks as a freight train approached traveling west. The train was blowing its horn and Wheaton acted as if he did not hear the train coming behind him until the last second. He then turned around and was struck by the train. Wheaton’s family was notified of the incident. He was transported to the morgue at Wayne UNC Health Care. Wheaton is listed as living on the streets of Goldsboro.