New information on how a 19-year-old died on Badger Canyon railroad tracks
A 19-year-old woman may not have seen or heard an early morning train in Badger Canyon until it was too late.
Benton County Coroner Bill Leach has ruled Kolette Tipps death was an accident, he told the Herald.
Investigators believe Tipps of Kennewick was walking home on the railroad tracks with her earbuds in and a sketchbook in her hand about 4:30 a.m. April 24.
Friends on social media described her as a great friend.
“We grew up together, she was an amazing friend and had the kindest soul,” one commenter posted.
She was heading east near where the tracks cross 823 PR Southeast close to Badger Road when a freight train came up behind her. It was heading in the same direction and she was struck in the middle of the tracks, Leach said.
It remains unclear why she was out walking at that time in the morning, but Leach was told it wasn’t unusual for her.
The train was moving about 50 mph in the rural area, traveling about the length of a football field in less than 4 seconds. Leach said the predawn light likely meant she didn’t see the engine’s headlights approaching.
No one on the train apparently saw her because the train continued and there was no report of a collision, said investigators.
A BNSF conductor on a second train passing through the area about an hour later called authorities about 5:30 a.m. after spotting her body and stopping. The second train didn’t strike her.
This story was originally published May 10, 2023 at 12:59 PM.