New Jersey Teens Killed by Trains
Teens were Walking on Trestle Known as Neighborhood Shortcut
According to various news reports, two New Jersey teens were killed by a NJ Transit train on October 1, Sixtteen-year-old Alan Mendez and 17-year-old Nicholas Sabina, were hit by a train as it headed to a Transit repair station. The train hit the teens on a popular neighborhood cut through.
Less than 24 hours after Sabina and Mendez were pronounced dead, 13-year-old Michael Cabaj was killed by an NJ Transit train in Garfield while trying to cross the tracks near Outwater Lane, nearby. Apparently he didn’t realize two trains were approaching from different directions.
According to the WalkBikeJersey Blog, there is no other reasonable way for the kids to walk or bike between the area neighborhoods and towns.
Once again, we see rail corridors act as major barriers to citizens.
Until we provide means for people to use these corridors for safe passage, this tragic story will be repeated again and again.
