The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the man killed in a tragic train incident in Shafter, California, last Saturday as 40-year-old Gerardo Becerra Perez. The fatal collision occurred in the morning on January 17, 2026, at the intersection of South Beech Avenue and East Los Angeles Avenue. Perez was a resident of the city of Shafter, where the accident happened .
Authorities discovered Perez’s body at approximately 9:34 a.m. at the location described as Mile Post 904.3. The report from the Coroner’s Office confirmed that he died at the scene from the injuries sustained in the incident.
Official reports currently offer no details about the specific circumstances that led to Perez being struck by the train . It remains unknown whether he was walking, standing, or otherwise positioned on or near the tracks at the time of the collision. The events immediately preceding the accident have not been publicly disclosed by investigating authorities.
Following the identification, the Kern County Coroner’s Office released the information as part of its standard procedure. This identification allows for formal notification of next of kin and public record-keeping related to the fatality. The agency is responsible for determining the official cause and manner of death in such cases.
As of now, no information has been released regarding which agency is leading the investigation into the incident or the status of any investigative findings. It is also not publicly known if any witnesses to the collision have come forward or if train operators provided statements to law enforcement.
The community of Shafter has experienced similar fatal incidents involving trains and pedestrians in recent months, including the death of a 16-year-old boy in August 2025 . These repeated tragedies have spurred some local residents to petition city leaders for enhanced safety measures, such as pedestrian overpasses or protective barriers at railway crossings. The death of Gerardo Becerra Perez underscores the ongoing and serious safety concerns at railway intersections within the area.