Teen hit by Caltrain in Palo Alto; reports indicate suicide
August 23, 2009
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO — For the third time this year, a teenager has been killed after being struck by a Caltrain in a crossing in Palo Alto, in what early reports indicate was a suicide.
The victim, described by Caltrain officials as a juvenile female — her identity has not been released — died after being struck around 10:45 p.m. Friday by a southbound train near East Meadow Drive in Palo Alto.
The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office is investigating the incident, but preliminary information indicates that the death was an intentional act, according to Caltrain spokeswoman Christine Dunn.
Earlier this year, two other teenagers — both from Gunn High School in Palo Alto — committed suicide at the Caltrain crossing on East Meadow Drive. The first fatality, a 17-year-old boy, occurred on May 5. The second death, a 17-year-old girl, came just four weeks later, on June 2.
Dunn said Palo Alto police and the Caltrain transit police had recently stepped up patrols in the area near East Meadow Drive in an effort to prevent further deaths.
The fatality Friday night was the 10th this year involving Caltrain. All 10 deaths have occurred over the past three months. Four have been officially ruled suicides, according to Dunn.
Last year there were 16 deaths on the Caltrain tracks. Of those, 13 were ruled suicides, according to Dunn.
