by Guy Page

An Essex Junction man has been identified as the victim of a Tuesday night collision with a train.

Essex police say that on Wednesday, May 21 at 4:20 AM, Essex Police responded to the railroad tracks located parallel to Railroad Street between Main Street and Maple Street for a report of a male found deceased on the railroad tracks. 

Police say a southbound New England Central Railroad freight train pulling 83 cars traveled through that location on Tuesday, May 20, at about 11:30 PM and struck Shiloh Malzac, 44, causing fatal injuries. The train engineer was unaware of the incident and the train continued to its destination without stopping. New England Central Railroad officials were notified and have been cooperating with the investigation. 

Malzac’s Facebook page says he graduated Middlebury Union High School in 1999.

Railroad Street was closed for nearly 3-1/2 hours while investigators processed the scene. The railroad was notified to stop all train traffic throughout the duration of the investigation. Essex Westford School District was notified and requested to advise families and students to avoid the area while the scene was processed. The accident scene was blocked off from public view by black screens. 

Investigators were on scene until about 8 AM. 

Essex Junction Fire Department assisted with traffic control, and scene clean up. Williston Police also assisted with traffic control and scene security. Essex Rescue responded and were able to go back into service.

Malzac’s body was transported to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. As the investigation is continuing, Essex Police are requesting anyone who may have observed any people walking in the area of the railroad tracks near the location of the incident between 7:30 PM and 11:30 PM or with other related information to contact police.