Man Killed by Freight Train in Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man was struck and killed by a westbound freight train on the railroad tracks near The Big Y Supermarket in Pittsfield. 
 
The incident occurred on March 12, 2025, at approximately 6:22 pm. 
 
Two men were observed walking westbound on the tracks as the train approached. The train operator attempted to warn them with the train's horn. One man avoided the collision, but the other was struck and sustained life-threatening injuries. He was transported to BMC by Action Ambulance, where he later died.
 
The deceased's name is being withheld until family notifications are complete. The second individual left the scene before emergency responders arrived and has not been identified.
 
The Pittsfield Police Department, Pittsfield Fire Department, and Action Ambulance responded to the scene.

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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the  POST Commission. 

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission. 

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted.  On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April. 

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday. 

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.  

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads. 

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline." 

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