Stephen Michael Gawiak struck by CSX train on Third Ave South in Nashville
NASHVILLE, TN, (June 26, 2025) - A 44-year-old man was tragically killed early Thursday morning after being struck by a CSX train in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, authorities confirmed.
Stephen Michael Gawiak was tragically struck and killed by a CSX train Thursday in Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood.
Police identified the victim as Stephen Michael Gawiak. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. near a commercial parking lot in the 1400 block of Third Avenue South. Gawiak died at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
In the wake of this tragedy, Nashville officials are reportedly evaluating additional safety measures for CSX train crossings throughout the city.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Train-related fatalities, such as the tragic death of Stephen Michael Gawiak in Nashville, are occurring with increasing frequency across the U.S. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 1,000 people lost their lives in railroad accidents in 2023—a 10% increase from the previous year and the highest total since 2007.
Accidents involving trains can result from a variety of causes, including human error by train personnel, mechanical malfunctions, signal failures, or hazardous pedestrian infrastructure. Investigators are expected to look closely at whether the area where Gawiak was struck had adequate safety measures in place for pedestrians.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal and a veteran train accident attorney, stressed the importance of securing an independent legal investigation in such cases.
“Train companies often dispatch their own investigators to crash scenes and have extensive resources at their disposal,” said Bond. “A skilled attorney can advocate for a grieving family, preserve crucial evidence, and ensure their rights and interests are protected during this difficult time.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Following the tragic loss of Stephen Michael Gawiak in a Nashville train accident, his family may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. Such claims can provide financial relief for the loss of companionship, emotional distress, and pain and suffering that often follow a sudden and devastating incident.
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay closely involved with the official investigation and work to ensure the family’s best interests are fully represented,” Bond added. “Relatives of wrongful death victims have the right to seek justice and accountability for their loss.”
Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, has extensive experience with fatal pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one needs help, she offers free consultations.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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