Teen hit by train and killed in northeast Georgia

A teenager was hit by a freight train and killed in the northeast Georgia town of Jefferson, authorities said.

Jefferson police Chief Joe Wirthman told Channel 2 Action News that the 17-year-old boy, identified by family members as Jefferson High School sophomore Juan Padilla, was walking along the tracks near the intersection of Ga. 11 and Cobb Street when he was hit shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday.

“We heard that he may have had earphones in,” Wirthman told Channel 2. “We haven’t been able to confirm that yet so it was possible he was listening to music. Trains can come upon you real quick.”