SALEM - Police said the death of Richard J. Farkas, who was killed early Sunday morning by a westbound Amtrak passenger train, was accidental.

Farkas, 29, of 232 Hawley Ave., was with Kit Glass Jr. and Thomas Hart, both of Salem, when the three were walking eastward across the tracks from a Circle K Store on West State Street.

Det. Dave Talbert said that after interviewing a dozen people, including the train engineer, the two men walking with him, others who arrived on the scene shortly afterward and family members, all the statements collected as evidence matched up and were consistent with the accident.

He said an autopsy was being conducted due to information initially provided.

Talbert said he wanted to dispel rumors of foul play moments before the incident noting the family was grieving and it was difficult enough for them without rumors floating around.

Talbert said the rumors included just about anything you could think of.

SA toxicology finding will be issued with the coroner's report, but Talbert felt safe enough to say he was convinced "alcohol played a large part" in the incident.

Police chief Bob Floor said earlier in the week, emphasizing it was speculation, that he wondered if it was a game a chicken.

He said a pedestrian walking on the overpass heard people shouting from below, saw the body on the ground and flagged down a police cruiser.

Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net