The Howell County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the man who was struck by a train Monday afternoon, Charles Allen Lightfoot Jr., 49, of West Plains. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends," officials with the sheriff's department said.
Lightfoot was struck by the train at about 12:14 p.m. Monday near ZZ Highway and County Road 8240 in West Plains.
After the sheriff’s office asked for the public's help in identifying the victim, Lightfoot was identified at about 6:30 p.m. Monday evening and the release of his name was withheld until next of kin could be notified, according to Sheriff Matt Roberts.
Lightfoot’s death is the second train-involved fatality in West Plains in less than six months.
On Sept. 17, the sheriff’s office reported the death of Megan Corman, 37, of Willow Springs, after she was struck by a train that morning in West Plains. The agency, at the time under leadership of former Sheriff Brent Campbell, asked for the public to share information that would aid in an investigation into the death, and said more information would be released when autopsy results were complete.
To date, no updates have been given in that case, though an inquiry by the Quill is pending response from the sheriff’s office.
