The location where Greg Plitt died

This is the location where Greg Plitt died in a train accident.

It is situated on the train tracks beside North Front Street, just north of the Magnolia Boulevard overpass in Burbank, California.

Plitt (37) was a former US Army Ranger, fitness model, and personal trainer who appeared in commercials for Old Spice Body Wash, MTV, and Under Armour. He also starred in Bravo's reality television series "Work Out" between 2006 and 2008.

On the afternoon of Saturday, January 17, 2015, Plitt and his crew were filming a sports drink commercial on the tracks near the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station.

The group had failed to obtain a permit to work on the commuter line. There was also a breakdown in communication, as Plitt began improvising scenes without informing the filming crew of his plans.

Accident

Two parallel railroad tracks run through the area, roughly 15 feet apart.

Shortly after 4 p.m., Plitt saw the southbound Metrolink Antelope Valley Line train heading in his direction. Deciding to incorporate it into the commercial, he stepped onto one of the tracks, turned his back on it, and began running away from it.

Investigators believe he intended to show himself racing against the Metrolink as it ran along the adjacent line. However, it appears he misjudged which track the train was using.

Plitt did not look back, as it would have ruined the shot of him outpacing the train.

Although the engineer sounded the horn, the proximity of the tracks likely led Plitt to assume the train was on the adjacent line.

Plitt did not inform the camera crew of his intentions. Consequently, they presumed he was filming a chase scene and that he would eventually jump clear.

By the time they realized he was in danger, the sound of the metro was drowning out their shouts.

The train struck and killed Plitt at approximately 4:05 p.m.

Investigators who reviewed video footage of the incident from different angles believe that it was an accident, not a suicide.

Plitt's death was completely avoidable, as it stemmed from a split-second decision and a failure in communication between him and the crew members. Had he assessed the situation for a few seconds longer, he would have likely noticed his mistake.