Charlotte, December 21, 2025
A man was killed after being struck by a train in southeast Charlotte. Authorities identified him as Daniel Kotrman, who was reportedly lying on the tracks at the time. The incident occurred on Monroe Road, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Investigations are ongoing, and law enforcement is urging any witnesses to come forward. This tragedy adds to growing concerns over rail safety amid a series of train-related incidents in the area.
Charlotte
A 48-year-old man was killed on Saturday morning, December 20, 2025, after being struck by a train in southeast Charlotte. Police identified the deceased as Daniel Kotrman. Authorities indicate that he was reportedly lying on the tracks at the time of the incident. This tragic event occurred shortly after 9:45 a.m. along Monroe Road, prompting a significant response from emergency services and law enforcement officials.
Details of the Incident
The incident took place in the 9500 block of Monroe Road, specifically in the Independence Division of southeast Charlotte. Officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department responded to reports of a train versus pedestrian collision. Upon arrival, emergency personnel located Daniel Kotrman unresponsive alongside the southeastbound track, suffering from serious injuries. Medic pronounced him dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department indicates that Mr. Kotrman was lying on the southeastbound track when he was struck by a CSX train. Investigators have stated that no impairment is suspected on the part of the train operator. The train involved was also traveling southeast at the time of the collision.
The Major Crash Investigation Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, along with Crime Scene Search detectives, is actively investigating the fatal crash. Representatives from CSX, the Charlotte Fire Department, and the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Authorities have successfully notified Mr. Kotrman’s next of kin.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remains ongoing and active. Law enforcement is urging any witnesses or individuals with information related to the crash to come forward. Specific contact details have been provided for Detective Pressley at (704) 432-2169 Extension 2, or Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website.
Broader Context of Rail Safety
This recent fatality adds to a series of incidents involving trains and the light rail system in the Charlotte area over recent months, raising ongoing concerns about public safety around rail lines.
In a separate, but recent, incident, federal charges were filed in connection with a December 5, 2025, stabbing on the LYNX Blue Line. Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia, 33, is accused of critically injuring another passenger with a large knife during an altercation on the commuter train. He faces charges including attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and illegally reentering the country after being deported. Federal prosecutors have also charged him with a “terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system,” a rare charge under a law enacted after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The victim in this incident survived.
This marks the second instance within four months where federal prosecutors in Charlotte have applied the “terrorist attack” charge against an individual involved in light rail violence. The first such charge was brought against Decarlos Brown Jr. He is accused of the August 2025 fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail car.
Since the August 2025 stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a total of 33 incidents have been recorded near Charlotte’s light rail system. Data indicates that most of these incidents occurred outdoors rather than directly on the trains. This surge in incidents has heightened concerns regarding security on the city’s light rail.
Other fatal train incidents in North Carolina have also been reported. On November 18, 2025, Luis Javier Marrero, 48, was killed after being hit by an Amtrak train in Landis, North Carolina, following a family dispute. Earlier in the year, on March 21, 2025, William David Biggerstaff, 62, was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in northeast Charlotte. Additionally, around October 2025, 60-year-old Kenneth Marsh was fatally hit by a CSX train in East Charlotte. These various incidents underscore the persistent dangers associated with railway tracks and transit systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was killed in the recent train incident in Charlotte?
- A 48-year-old man, Daniel Kotrman, was killed in the recent train incident in Charlotte.
- When and where did the train incident occur in southeast Charlotte?
- The train incident occurred on Saturday morning, December 20, 2025, shortly after 9:45 a.m. along Monroe Road in the 9500 block, specifically in the Independence Division of southeast Charlotte.
- What were the preliminary findings regarding the train incident?
- The preliminary investigation indicates that Daniel Kotrman was lying on the southeastbound track when he was struck by a CSX train. No impairment is suspected on the part of the train operator.
- Which agencies are investigating the fatal train crash?
- The Major Crash Investigation Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Crime Scene Search detectives, representatives from CSX, the Charlotte Fire Department, and the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the fatal train crash.
- What recent light rail stabbings have occurred in Charlotte?
- A December 5, 2025, stabbing occurred on the LYNX Blue Line, where Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia is accused of critically injuring another passenger. This follows an August 2025 fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail car, for which Decarlos Brown Jr. is accused.
- What federal charges are involved in the recent light rail stabbings?
- Federal prosecutors have charged Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia with illegally reentering the country after being deported and a “terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system.” Decarlos Brown Jr. also faces the “terrorist attack” charge.
- How many incidents have been recorded near Charlotte’s light rail system since August 2025?
- Since the August 2025 stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a total of 33 incidents have been recorded near Charlotte’s light rail system.
- Are there other notable recent train fatalities in North Carolina?
- Yes, on November 18, 2025, Luis Javier Marrero, 48, was killed after being hit by an Amtrak train in Landis, North Carolina. On March 21, 2025, William David Biggerstaff, 62, was struck and killed by an Amtrak train in northeast Charlotte. Around October 2025, 60-year-old Kenneth Marsh was fatally hit by a CSX train in East Charlotte.
Key Features of Recent Rail Incidents in Charlotte
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Incident Type | Fatal Train Collision |
| Date of Primary Incident | Saturday, December 20, 2025 |
| Location of Primary Incident | 9500 block of Monroe Road, Southeast Charlotte |
| Victim in Primary Incident | Daniel Kotrman, 48 |
| Train Involved (Primary Incident) | CSX Train |
| Preliminary Finding (Primary Incident) | Victim was lying on the track |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing by CMPD Major Crash Investigation Unit |
| Related Concern | Increase in light rail incidents (33 since August 2025) |
| Notable Related Incident 1 | December 5, 2025, LYNX Blue Line stabbing (Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia) |
| Notable Related Incident 2 | August 2025 LYNX Blue Line fatal stabbing (Iryna Zarutska, Decarlos Brown Jr.) |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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