Northwestern Indiana Commuter Transportation District transit police chief Bob Byrd told local media that the agency believed Randall Williams rode a loaded South Shore freight coal train from Gary to Michigan City, Indiana overnight Saturday.

His body was found at about 6.30am near the Northern Indiana Public Service Company Michigan City generating station property.

Williams was not a rail company or facility employee and had not been spotted trespassing on the property beforehand and officials are examining the possibility he was riding in a train car.

The LaPorte County coroner told media he believed Williams might have fallen between cars or slipped before being struck.

He was identified by law enforcement officials by tattoos that also appeared in the mugshots from his extensive criminal history, Byrd said.

NIPSCO did not release public comment on the incident.

An investigation into cause is underway.