Bay Minette Man Killed by Train at Graham Drive Railroad Crossing; Police and Sheriff’s Office Investigating

BAY MINETTE, Ala. — A local man died Sunday, Oct. 11, after he was struck by a train at a railroad crossing near Graham Drive in Bay Minette, and two law enforcement agencies are now working to piece together what happened in the moments before the collision.

The Bay Minette Police Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office are jointly investigating the death, according to an email from Bay Minette Police Chief James Rosier Jr. The chief said the man was a resident of the area, but authorities have not released his name. Rosier said investigators have found no indication of foul play.

Officials said more information will be made public as it becomes available.

What we know so far

At this stage of the investigation, the publicly confirmed details are limited. Here is what authorities have said:

• When: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026.
• Where: A railroad crossing near Graham Drive in Bay Minette, the Baldwin County seat.
• Who: A man who lived locally. His name has not been released.
• Investigating agencies: The Bay Minette Police Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
• Foul play: Chief Rosier said there is no indication of foul play.

Authorities have not said what kind of train was involved, which railroad operates the line at that crossing, whether the man was on foot or in a vehicle, or what time the collision occurred. They also have not said whether crossing signals were activated at the time. Those details typically become clearer as investigators review evidence such as train event recorder data, any available video, and statements from the train crew and witnesses.

It is common in train-involved deaths for authorities to wait to release a name until the person’s family has been notified, and for the investigation to take days or weeks before a full account is available.

A grim stretch for rail incidents in south Alabama

The Bay Minette death comes during a difficult year for train-related crashes across the region. Just weeks ago, two people were killed in Theodore when an Amtrak Mardi Gras Service train struck a car at the Bellingrath Road crossing near Peary Road. Police said in that case that the crossing gates were down and the signals were working when the driver tried to go around the lowered arms. It was the second deadly collision at that same crossing this year and at least the fifth train-related collision in south Mobile County in 2026. Read our earlier coverage of the Theodore crash.

Following those deaths, the Mobile County Health Department joined the national “Think Train Week” campaign led by the nonprofit Operation Lifesaver to remind residents how dangerous railroad tracks can be. That guidance is available here.

There is no indication the circumstances in Bay Minette are similar to the Theodore crashes, and investigators have not described how Sunday’s collision occurred. But the string of incidents has kept rail safety at the front of many residents’ minds in both counties.

Rail safety: what every driver and pedestrian should know

While the cause of Sunday’s death has not been determined, rail safety advocates stress a few basic facts that apply to every crossing in Baldwin and Mobile counties. According to Operation Lifesaver, a person or vehicle is hit by a train somewhere in the United States about every three hours, and there are more than 200,000 places nationwide where roads cross railroad tracks.

Trains cannot stop quickly. A train can need a mile or more to come to a full stop, roughly the length of 18 football fields. By the time an engineer sees a person or vehicle on the tracks, it is usually too late to avoid a collision even with the emergency brakes applied.

Trains are closer and faster than they look. Because of their size, approaching trains create an optical illusion that makes it difficult to judge their speed and distance. Operation Lifesaver compares it to watching an airplane that appears to hang in the sky even while traveling at high speed.

Expect a train at any time, from either direction. Freight trains do not always run on fixed schedules, and tracks that seem quiet can see traffic at any hour of the day or night.

Tracks are private property. Walking along railroad tracks or using them as a shortcut is both dangerous and, in most cases, trespassing. The only safe and legal place to cross is at a designated crossing.

Never go around lowered gates. Drivers should never try to beat a train or drive around crossing arms or flashing lights. If you are stopped at a crossing, leave at least 15 feet between your vehicle and the nearest rail, both in front and behind.

Stay alert. Headphones, phones, loud music and bad weather can all mask the sound of an approaching train. Put devices away and listen carefully when approaching any crossing.

What to do if you see a problem at a crossing

Every public railroad crossing in the United States is required to display a blue and white Emergency Notification System sign, typically mounted on or near the crossing signal post. The sign lists a toll-free number for the railroad that operates the line and a unique identification number for that specific crossing.

If a vehicle is stalled on the tracks, a gate is broken, signals are malfunctioning or there is any other emergency at a crossing, get everyone out and well away from the tracks first. Then call 911 and the number on the blue sign, giving the crossing identification number so the railroad can warn approaching trains.

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks and a train is coming, get out immediately and move away from the tracks at an angle, walking toward the oncoming train. That keeps you clear of debris that can be thrown forward when a train strikes a vehicle.

If you have information

Anyone who witnessed Sunday’s incident near Graham Drive or has information that could help investigators is encouraged to contact the Bay Minette Police Department or the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

South Alabama News will update this story as authorities release additional information, including the man’s identity and more details about how the collision happened.