Redmond woman killed by train identified

A 40-year-old Redmond-area woman standing on the railroad tracks in northeast Redmond was struck and killed by a freight train Thursday afternoon, police said.

The woman, identified Friday as Billie Fern Fifer, died at the crash scene near NE Kilnwood Place, said Lt. Keith Knight, adding that no other information was being released at this time.

Police responded to the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railway tracks around 2:30 p.m. on the report of a woman struck by a train, Knight said.

A preliminary investigation indicates Fifer was standing on the railroad tracks when she was struck by a BNSF train traveling north through Redmond, he said.

Knight said Redmond police wanted to thank Redmond Fire and Rescue, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Redmond Public Works for their assistance.

Officers also encouraged the public to avoid railroad tracks or rights of way, as they are very hazardous, and to cross only at designated crossings.

Knight noted that it’s first-degree criminal trespass to enter or remain on railroad yards, tracks, bridges or rights of way.