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Train death investigation still open

Investigators have ruled out foul play in the death of VSU student James “Jake” Elkins, who was killed by a train a week before the fall semester began in August, according to Remerton Police Chief Mike Terrell.

 The investigation, which is still ongoing, of Elkins’ death began the night of Aug. 13, when the 19-year-old was hit by a train on the 1700 block of Wayland Park Drive in Remerton.

  He was reportedly struck by the train at 2:20 a.m. and pronounced dead at 4:10 a.m. by Lowndes County Coroner Bill Watson. 

 The 911 call was from the train’s engineer, who didn’t know where he exactly hit Elkins.

  The cause of his death was blunt force trauma to the head and lower abdomen.

 The body was also found with cuts from where it was pulled by the train before the train  stopped.

 Along with Terrell, Georgia Bureau Investigation (GBI), and railroad officials are working on the investigation.

 As of now, there is no further information about the case, according to Terrell.

 Elkins, a Cairo, Ga., native, was a 2009 graduate of Cairo High School, and also a linebacker for the Cairo High School Syrupmakers.

 He helped the team win the 2008 Class AAA State Championship.

 The honor student was about to start his second year at VSU before his death.

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