The San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office on Thursday released the identities of two Escalon residents, losing their lives in separate incidents on Wednesday, May 7.

The first incident was a train vs. pedestrian collision, about 1:45 p.m., near the Highway 120 and McHenry Avenue railroad crossing. The victim was identified as Paul Lopez, 63, of Escalon and authorities said he was struck by an Amtrak train. There was also a freight train in the area, apparently stopped on the tracks, and eyewitnesses said the man appeared to walk around the downed crossing arms to get past the freight train when he was struck. The investigation is continuing, taken over by Amtrak Police.

A couple hours later, just after 4 p.m., an Escalon woman died as a result of injuries sustained when the SUV she was driving collided with a hay squeeze along Highway 120 near Sexton Road. She was identified as Glenda Mancilla Larios, 38, of Escalon. The crash also resulted in major injuries to the driver of the farm equipment – with a lengthy extrication required – and authorities said there were minor passengers in the SUV who were injured and taken to area hospitals. No information was available on their condition. That accident also remains under investigation, being handled by the CHP.

Assisting with the incidents were Escalon Police, Escalon Community Ambulance and Escalon Fire Department personnel, with additional support from Escalon Public Works and Escalon Unified School District personnel at the train/pedestrian collision.

Look for additional details on these incidents in the May 14 issue of The Times.