THE LAST GREAT ACT OF DEFIANCE. The railroad track is not a safe shortcut home, particularly if you're not in a condition to expect trains at any time in either direction.

The victim's 18-year-old friend, who was with him at the time, told authorities that both men were drunk.

According to the Sheriff's Department, the two Silver Lake men were walking southbound on the tracks, taking a short cut home around 11:30 p.m., when a northbound train approached.

The friend said both men got off the tracks, but that [the deceased] got back on, "flipped off" the train" and was struck.

He died at the scene.