A DeKalb man was killed just before midnight Thursday when he stepped in the path of a train.

Police said Stephen Mitchell, 55, of 1155 N. 14th St. was walking west on the south side of the Union Pacific tracks at the intersection of Lincoln Highway and Fourth Street in DeKalb prior to the incident.

Police said Mitchell went around the lowered railroad gates and ignored whistles from the westbound train.

Lt. Jim Kayes of the DeKalb Police Department said an officer present tried unsuccessfully to gain Mitchell’s attention and get him away from the tracks.

DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said Mitchell then stepped in front of the train and was killed instantly.

Miller said test results to determine whether drugs or alcohol were involved are due this week.

Kayes said Mitchell had no immediate family and lived alone.

“In situations like this, it’s hard to say if it was suicide or not – unless he left a note,” Kayes said. “Otherwise, you probably will never know.”

Police have not found a note.