EFFINGHAM COUNTY — A 23-year-old male pedestrian was struck and killed late Tuesday night when he was struck by a freight train in Effingham County.

Authorities have identified the man as Lucas Ahten of rural Altamont.

According to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office they received a report around 11:54 p.m. Tuesday of a pedestrian struck by a CSX train on the St. Louis Railway, about a mile west of 450th Street on the northwest edge of Altamont.

The sheriff’s office contacted the Illinois State Police Division of Crime Scene Services and the CSX Railroad Police, who assisted at the scene.

An autopsy will be conducted today to officially determine the cause of death.

Railway traffic resumed on the St. Louis line at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday following an investigation at the scene.