Lindsey Michaels, a 21-year-old Carlow University student, fell to her death beneath two trains while train hopping with her boyfriend
Michaels, 21, and her identified boyfriend were jumping trains near South 7th Street and P.J. McArdle Roadway around 2.30am Sunday in South Side Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
According to WTAE, Norfolk and Pittsburgh police said that the train, which was moving 130 cars loaded with coal, was traveling at about 3 to 4 mph through this area and then began to pick up speed. Police said that the train crew did not see anyone trying to jump on the train and was not aware that anyone might have been hit.
Michaels was a Keystone Oaks High School graduate and was studying at Carlow University.
via WTAE:
The incident happened along the Norfolk Southern tracks near South 7th Street and P.J. McArdle Roadway around 2:30 AM. Investigators say Michaels fell when she and her companion were train hopping. They said she fell between the trains and was dragged. The man with her suffered an ankle injury and was taken to the hospital.
Michaels’ mother confirmed by phone Sunday night that her daughter was with her boyfriend, who is “beside himself” over what happened. She described Michaels as “a good kid” who had just turned 21 and was on the Dean’s list at Carlow University. She was studying biology at Carlow with a specific focus on perfusion.
She said she believed that Michaels and her boyfriend thought it would be fun to try to jump on a train. Michaels’ mother said the couple had been drinking alcohol during the day but that neither were “big drinkers.” Michaels mother said the couple went to the Pitt game, took a nap at her home, attended a cookout there, and then went to the South Side.
Carlow University released a statement on Sunday night regarding Michaels’ tragic death:
“The Carlow University community extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Carlow junior Lindsey Michaels, who died last night in a tragic accident on the South Side. We mourn her loss. Information about a memorial service on campus will be forthcoming. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.”
According to reports, Carlow University will hold a memorial for Michaels this week.
