A student at the Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston was hit by a train and seriously injured Tuesday afternoon as he tried to cross the railroad tracks.

Ruston police said David Kolotinsky, 22, of Ruston was at the Trenton Street crossing when he apparently became disoriented at the sound of the approaching freight train. Kolotinsky then began walking right next to the tracks, police said.

The engineer of the Kansas City Southern train saw Kolotinsky and hit the brakes but could not stop the train in time. It went through the crossing and struck Kolotinsky, police said.

Kolotinsky was airlifted to LSU Hospital in Shreveport. He was listed in serious condition today, police said.

Train engineer William Mickler, 32, told police he could see the crossing lights were activated and he also sounded the train's horn.