A man who was struck by a Metrolik train shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday night in Dana Point has been identified as Billy Brotherton, 54.
The death occurred about halfway between the San Clemente Metrolink Station and the San Juan Capistrano Depot, next to the campground at Doheny State Beach at 5:10 p.m., authorities said.
According to Jim Amormino, spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Department: "After talking with numerous witnesses who were near the scene, investigators have ruled the incident as a suicide. They say he deliberately stepped in front of the train that was heading Northbound near Dana Point."
Brotherton is married, Amormino said.
Trains were diverted for several hours on Wednesday, he said, which is a common practice when something like this happens.
Amormino said. "It does happen from time to time. Suicides are part of every day society and some people choose that method to escape."
