Louis "Lou" Terrell hit and killed by Amtrak train while chasing his dog.

The man who was struck and killed by an oncoming train while running after his dog near the train tracks Friday afternoon in Del Mar, Calif., has been identified as Louis "Lou" Terrell, a former mayor and city councilman.

San Diego County sheriff’s deputies say that around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Terrell was walking his unleashed dog on the bluffs near the train tracks in the 100-block of 11th Street when a northbound Amtrak train approached the area and sounded its horn.

Investigators believe the horn spooked the dog, which darted across the tracks with Terrell running after his pet. The train hit Terrell, killing him on impact.

Emergency crews confirmed the Terrell’s death at the scene. Officials said it appears the man wasn't struck head-on by the train and may have been trying to get out of the way when he was fatally hit.

The family said the dog survived and is at the Terrell home.

No one else was injured in the collision, though officials did say the conductor of the train was extremely shaken up by the accident. This portion of the tracks in Del Mar is a popular crossing spot for surfers and walkers in the area.

The accident caused some train delays in San Diego's North County Friday, including some slowing with the COASTER train, according to the North County Transit District.