Death of Palo Alto woman struck by train ruled…
Death of Palo Alto woman struck by train ruled suicide
By Daily News |
PUBLISHED: April 27, 2016 at 5:36 p.m. | UPDATED: May 18, 2018 at 1:36 a.m.
PALO ALTO — The death of a 19-year-old woman who suffered multiple blunt trauma injuries after being hit by a passenger train on Friday has been ruled a suicide, Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner officials said Tuesday.
Sarah Marie Longyear, a Gunn High School graduate, was struck by the northbound No. 155 train about 3 p.m. Friday near Palo Alto Avenue between the Palo Alto and Menlo Park stations. She was taken to Stanford Hospital.
Longyear, a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis, was on a leave of absence from college and living with her parents in Palo Alto.
Rick and Sally Longyear said in an obituary that their daughter was giving and gave her love and support to many. And, their inquisitive and caring daughter demonstrated genuine interest in people.
"Unfortunately she was not able to give the same to herself, as she struggled with significant depression, the disease that ended her life far too early," the Longyears said.
She also is survived by her older brother, CJ Longyear.
The California native loved the beach and the mountains: "There, she enjoyed the flowers and sunshine to which she was often compared."
Longyear also appreciated the TV show, Friends; children and dogs and bright colors. She played on Gunn's basketball team and a walk-on for Washington University's basketball team.
The university plans to lower the flag in her memory, Longyear's mom said in an email. Vigils for Longyear in St. Louis are in the planning stages and her family will honor her life in a private celebration.
Longyear's family hopes that her death can be an opportunity to raise awareness of mental illness.
"Many more people than we know are dealing with mental health issues, and suicides are far too common," the family stated in the obituary. "We encourage everyone to be mindful of their loved ones and talk about mental health and suicide."
Between October 2014 and March 2015, one former and three current Palo Alto Unified School District students died by suicide along the Caltrain corridor. And, there were five teen suicides in 2008-09. The deaths prompted an epidemiology study of teen suicide clusters by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently underway.
There have been three other fatalities on Caltrain tracks this year, according to Caltrain spokeswoman Jayme Ackemann.
Instead of flowers or other donations, Longyear's family asked that contributions be made to "any charities that may help your loved ones overcome challenges they may be facing."
Help for those considering suicide or for family and friends of someone considering suicide is available by calling 1-800-SUICIDE or texting 1-800-799-4889.
In a statement Saturday, Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent Glenn "Max" McGee shared news of the death in a statement to parents and community members.
"… There is no question that her passing brings deep sadness to our community, which has already endured such pain," McGee stated. "I am sure that you join me in extending her family and friends the deepest sympathy and are keeping them in your thoughts."
The district has grief counselors, mental health therapists and psychologists available at Gunn and district-wide to support students and teachers.
Claudia Keith, a spokeswoman for the city, said the city will have hired guards from a security firm monitor the area where Longyear was hit.
As part of Track Watch, guards already watch four crossings — Charleston, East Meadow, Churchill and California — while Caltrain is in operation, nearly 24 hours a day.
City officials hope technology will eventually play a larger role in monitoring the tracks, especially to improve visibility at night, Keith said.
"The technology that we're piloting can see a lot farther than the human eye, so it would give us a better line of sight," Keith said.
The city plans to test an intrusion detection system that includes motion sensors, microwave virtual trip wires and thermal night vision cameras.
Email Jacqueline Lee at jlee1@dailynewsgroup.com or call her at 650-391-1334; follow her at twitter.com/jleenews.
PUBLISHED: April 27, 2016 at 8:54 a.m. | UPDATED: May 18, 2018 at 2:07 a.m.