Tragic train crash claims life of Greensboro man

GREENSBORO, NC (LOOTPRESS) – On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, around 8:30 a.m., the Greensboro Police arrived at a train incident at the railroad crossing on Hilltop Road, in the 4700 block. An Amtrak passenger train was moving north on the tracks while Mr. Margarito Alfonso-Cruz, 51, from Greensboro, was operating a JGL telescoping boom lift, driving east on Hilltop Road towards the crossing.

As the lift reached the middle of the tracks, the warning lights and stop arms activated because of the approaching train. Mr. Alfonso-Cruz attempted to reverse, but one of the stop arms struck the lift. The train then hit the lift at the crossing, resulting in Mr. Alfonso-Cruz’s death. The investigation is still ongoing.

Amtrak, the Norfolk Southern Police Department, and the Federal Railroad Administration are also looking into the incident. Anyone with details is encouraged to reach out to Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Residents can download the P3tips app on their Apple or Android devices to send tips or visit P3tips.com for online submissions. All tips remain anonymous.