BILLINGS, MT — Authorities have released the name of the man who was tragically killed in a train-pedestrian accident earlier this week. The Yellowstone County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 68-year-old Thomas J. Vanek of Billings.
The incident occurred on Monday morning, March 2, 2026, near the intersection of Laurel Road and Moore Lane. According to the Billings Police Department, officers and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene after a report that a pedestrian had been struck by an eastbound train.
Mr. Vanek was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police and emergency presence in the area for several hours while investigators worked to determine the circumstances leading up to the collision. Rail traffic was halted temporarily during the initial phase of the investigation.
The Billings Police Department and BNSF Railway officials are continuing their investigation into the accident. No further details regarding the cause of the incident have been released at this time.