A nightmare scene unfolded outside The Icehouse in Summerville early Thursday morning, right as the bar was closing and patrons were filing out.
A young man who was celebrating his birthday at the bar that night walked across the street and struck a moving train at 1:45 a.m. near East Doty Avenue. He died on the scene.
A police report states that Justin Helton, 23, of Summerville had been arguing with some people after a night of drinking, and told someone he was going to "slap the train" that was passing by.
He was sucked under the train and died from multiple fractures and massive blunt force trauma, a police report states.
For Woody, the owner of The Icehouse who only goes by his first name, the tragedy hit home. Helton was a longtime friend, and well known in the area.
“I’m heartbroken,” Woody said, still visibly shaken on Thursday afternoon.
Woody said Helton was at the Icehouse earlier Wednesday evening, left and was drunk when he returned around midnight — so drunk that employees didn’t serve him alcohol.
“He sat down (outside) on the rocking chair with friends,” Woody said.
The scene soon turned ugly.
Right as the bar was closing, the tragedy occurred. Bar patrons and employees were on the scene within minutes.
“People were going nuts,” Woody said. “Everyone in the bar was in the parking lot.”
He said countless police officers, EMS, fire trucks and the highway patrol arrived on the scene.
“They woke every (officer) up,” Woody said. Friends and spectators were screaming and crying, many staying on the scene until 4 a.m., Woody said.
Woody said everyone at the bar is in shock. He added they are all mourning the loss of the well-known and well-liked young man.
Relatives placed flowers along the train tracks the next morning.
“I loved him, and I’m just really heartbroken,” Woody said. “He was a great kid.”

 Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext. 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.