Two men who were mourning the loss of their brother, who was fatally struck by a light-rail train a week before, were also struck and killed by a train.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police (CMPD) stated in a press release that Pablo Tiquiram Us, 29, and Jose Chilambalam Tiquiram Us, 20, were walking north on the train tracks in Charlotte near at 5:10 a.m. on Tuesday when they were both hit and killed by a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Lynx train.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
“They had been memorializing their brother on the one-week anniversary of his death, and they were conducting a memorial out by the site where he was killed,” CMPD Sgt. Adam Jones stated. “Unfortunately, the two brothers were also struck by a train while they were on foot and they both succumbed to their injuries pretty quickly.”
Their brother, Baltazar Tiquiram Us, 27, was fatally hit by a train while driving across East Hebron Street on July 26.
Video evidence shows the two brothers standing on the tracks when they were struck. However, it is unclear how long the two were on the tracks before the train arrived. They were there to light candles and pay “tribute to him as best they could on the tracks,” Jones said.
CNN reported that all safety features, including the crossing arms, lights, and horns, were working correctly.
“I cannot imagine losing three of your children — three of your siblings — within a week, to such tragic circumstances,” Jones added.
Officials believe alcohol was a “contributing factor,” according to the release.
Tuesday’s tragedy was one of four fatal traffic accidents involving six victims this week in Charlotte. In all four, “there has been a level of impairment involved,” Jones added. “So, I’d like to stress to our citizens, please, if you have been drinking, use a rideshare, have a designated driver, or stay where you are.”
