SEATTLE – Western Washington authorities have confirmed five people in three days have been hit by trains, and three of them died as a result.

The Puyallup Police Department announced two of the five people hit since Sunday appear to be suicide. Authorities say at least one of three deaths was preventable.

Officials at BNSF Railway say 19 people were struck and killed by trains in Washington state this year and only one was in a legal crosswalk.