An 18-year-old was struck and killed by a MARC train Monday afternoon in Gaithersburg.
According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, crews were called to North Summit Street and East Diamond Avenue just after 4 p.m. for a report of a person struck by a train.
Mario Ernesto Hernandez of Gaithersburg was struck by a MARC train traveling north toward Brunswick. Officials say the train operator sounded a horn and tried to break when he saw the man in the way.
His family told News4 Hernandez was on his way home from a haircut, walking with a hood on his head, earbuds on and a cell phone in hand at the time of the crash.
Hernandez moved to Gaithersburg three years ago to live with his father.
"He was a really good man, it breaks my heart," Hernandez' dad, Andrew said.
An 81-year-old man was struck and killed in the same area in January 2011 after trying to cross the tracks at the last minute to catch the morning MARC train.
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A man who owns a restaurant nearby said he sees about 15 people trying to use the railroad tracks as a cut through each day.
CSX officials said they will meet with community leaders to find solutions.
