Body found along train tracks in western Athens-Clarke County

By Joe Johnson

A man's body was found Sunday afternoon along the CSX railroad tracks in western Athens-Clarke County, according to county Coroner Sony Wilson.

The body was identified as that of Christopher Stokes, a 27-year-old homeless person whose mother lives in the area of Bogart where his body was found, Wilson said.

A CSX employee made the grim discovery while inspecting the tracks.

Stokes' body was located about a mile and a half east of the Fowler Mill Road train crossing, and it appeared that it had been there at least a couple days.

According to Wilson, the body had injuries that appeared consistent with getting hit by a train.

However, the coroner said he wanted to review video footage from CSX trains that pass through the area, and await autopsy findings before ruling on the cause of death.