Investigators are working to determine why 22-year-old Matthew L. Fockler found himself on a set of railroad tracks in Butler late Wednesday night, ultimately leading to his death.

Fockler of Butler was lying on the tracks near Negley Avenue about 10 p.m. when he was struck and killed by the train, authorities said.

Alcohol may have been a contributing factor, according to investigators. However, Butler police said they have not ruled out the death was a suicide.

The conductor activated the train’s horn and applied the brakes but Fockler did not move and the train was unable to stop in time, police Capt. David Dalcamo said.

Butler County Deputy Coroner Larry Barr pronounced Fockler dead at 10:55 p.m. of multiple trauma.

No autopsy was conducted but toxicology tests are being performed, Barr said.

Officials for the Canadian National Railway Co. could not be reached for comment this morning.

Police had little information about the three-engine train or its freight, or where it was headed.

It was southbound coming through Butler while rounding a bend when the conductor saw Fockler on the track, Barr said.

“He hit the horn but there was no reaction (from the victim),” Barr said of the conductor.

Police did not know how fast the train was traveling.

“But the speed was within regulation,” Dalcamo said.

Investigators later spoke to Fockler’s family about what happened. Fockler worked for a moving company in Cranberry Township.

His mother said he had gone to work earlier Wednesday and returned home. He left again but relatives apparently did not know where he went, investigators said.

Butler County Court records showed Fockler had been cited for public drunkenness three times — twice in the city and once in Butler Township — between July 14 and Aug. 27.

He also was convicted of drunken driving in April.