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- Police have identified the person fatally struck by a train in Red Bank on Wednesday, May 13 as a 16-year-old Red Bank Regional High School student.
- The young man was struck a few hundred feet south of the Chestnut Street crossing, which is right near the station.
- The teen was wearing headphones when he was struck, authorities said.
RED BANK−Authorities have identified the person struck and killed by northbound NJ North Jersey Coast Line train near Red Bank station Wednesday, May 13, as a 16-year-old Red Bank Regional High School student.
Red Bank Police Chief Michael Frazee said the teen was struck a few hundred feet south of the Chestnut Street grade crossing, which is right near the station.
Frazee declined to release the victim’s name, referring the question to NJ Transit, which is leading the investigation. Officials there were not immediately available.
The young man was wearing headphones when he was struck, authorities said.
Red Bank Deputy Mayor Kate Triggiano posted a message on Facebook describing an impromptu memorial gathering for the student yesterday.
“A kid I’ve known since he was tiny was at the park tonight where there were countless people gathered for a memorial-majority of the attendees being high school classmates of the victim. He told me he was so sad because he was his friend. I paused before responding, taking in the age gap and the fact that this kid is only in 4th grade, and so small. I said I was so sorry for his loss, and asked if he would share with me in what ways his friend was a good friend. He said he always stood up for him and made sure no one ever bullied him. Let this young child’s testimony serve as proof of a life lived in service.”
Triggiano added: “The amount of lives this child touched with his kindness and personality is overwhelming. He is loved by his family, his peers, his teammates, his coaches, his neighbors, his classmates, his teachers, everyone.”
Red Bank American Youth Football identified the teen as a former player.
The fatal train strike happened about 6:20 a.m. Wednesday.
North Jersey Coast Line train No. 3218 , carrying 55 passengers, left Long Branch at 6:08 a.m with a scheduled arrival time of 7:39 at Penn Station New York, struck what transit officials referred to as a trespasser at the Red Bank station.
Service between Long Branch and Matawan was suspended but restored by 9:15 a.m.
No other injuries were reported.
Reporter Ken Serrano can be reached at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.
