NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The family of a Nashville man struck and killed by a train has spoken out, remembering him as a creative, generous spirit who left his mark both on walls and in people's lives.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, 44-year-old Stephen Gawiak was found under a CSX freight train around 2:30 a.m. on June 26 on the 1400 block of Third Avenue South. The conductor told officers he saw Gawiak lying on the tracks about 15 feet ahead but was unable to stop the train in time.

Originally from New York, Gawiak had deep ties in both cities and was known by many in the graffiti art community under the tag "HASPE."

"There was a lot of people he mentored," his sister, Christina Reyes, told News 2. "He was in different graffiti crews, and it was so much a part of his identity that when we were picking out the casket, we found a matte black one and said, 'He would've loved to tag this.' So we asked everyone to leave a message for him, to surround him with love."

His tag, "HASPE," still lives on in alleyways and walls across the country.

His family said they hope to one day start a foundation that helps young graffiti artists find their voice in Stephen's honor.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/loved-ones-mourn-train-victim/