On a quiet Friday night in Ravenel, South Carolina, a small community was struck by tragedy when 34-year-old James Fraley lost his life after being hit by an Amtrak passenger train. The incident, which occurred just before 10 p.m. on June 6, 2025, near the intersection of Highway 162 and Railroad Avenue, has left family, friends, and neighbors grappling with grief and searching for answers. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office identified Fraley, a local resident, as the victim, confirming that he died at the scene from blunt force trauma caused by the collision.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office responded swiftly to reports of a pedestrian being struck by a train. Deputies arrived to find Fraley unresponsive near the tracks, and emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead shortly after. The train, identified as Amtrak Palmetto 89, was en route to Savannah when the collision occurred. Authorities reported that the train remained on the tracks, with no derailment, and no passengers or crew members were injured. The incident caused a temporary halt in train operations as emergency responders, including St. Paul’s Fire-Rescue, worked alongside investigators to process the scene. CSX, the freight railroad operator managing the tracks, was notified and paused all train activity in the area to ensure safety and support the investigation.

Details surrounding the circumstances of Fraley’s presence on the tracks remain scarce. Authorities have not yet determined whether he was walking along the railway, attempting to cross, or if other factors contributed to the tragedy. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating, collaborating with Amtrak officials to piece together the events leading up to the collision. Witnesses on board the train described a sudden, forceful braking after crossing the Stono River bridge, indicating the conductor’s attempt to avoid the collision. Despite these efforts, the train, traveling at a significant speed, was unable to stop in time.

James Fraley was known in Ravenel as a kind and reserved individual, and his sudden death has sent ripples of sorrow through the tight-knit community. Social media posts from friends and neighbors reflect a collective sense of loss, with many sharing memories of Fraley’s quiet demeanor and warm presence. Some have begun advocating for enhanced safety measures at railroad crossings, particularly in rural areas like Ravenel where pedestrian activity near tracks may be more common. The intersection of Highway 162 and Railroad Avenue, while equipped with crossing arms and signals, has now become a focal point for discussions about preventing future tragedies.

This incident is not the first of its kind in the Charleston area. In recent years, train-related accidents have claimed multiple lives in South Carolina, with federal data indicating an average of 13 fatalities annually from collisions at railroad crossings. Previous incidents in Ravenel and nearby communities, including a 2023 crash that killed a young driver, have heightened local concerns about railway safety. While investigators have not suggested any mechanical failures in this case, the community is left questioning what more can be done to protect residents.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in clarifying the circumstances of Fraley’s death. As the investigation continues, Ravenel mourns the loss of a beloved member, with many hoping that answers will provide closure and spark meaningful change to prevent future heartbreak.