LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - A 15-year-old boy was struck and killed by an Amtrak passenger train Friday while skateboarding on a railroad crossing in Mount Joy Borough.
Matthew Monroe, a Donegal High School student, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 2:23 p.m. accident in the 200 block of South Market Avenue, Terry Kauffman, Mount Joy Borough manager, said.
"It's a dangerous crossing," Kauffman said. "Amtrak has temporarily closed it, and this tragedy will lead us to a discussion on making that permanent."
Matthew and another boy were skateboarding on the pedestrian crossing as a westbound Amtrak train, traveling about 80 mph with 242 passengers onboard bound for Pittsburgh, approached, said Karina Romero, an Amtrak spokeswoman in Washington, D.C.
Matthew was wearing headphones and apparently did not hear the warning bells or train horn, investigators said.
A second boy suffered a minor hand injury.
A wooden rail prevents traffic from crossing the tracks at the site, and a sign there reads, "Danger: Do not cross track when bell sounds."
"Train tracks are public access, and people need to be careful when they cross," Romero said. "People must look both ways before crossing the railroad, the same way they do when crossing the street."
Matthew, of 1631 Harrisburg Ave., would have been a sophomore at Donegal High School. He had just visited his mother, Melissa A. Stokes, at her workplace shortly before being killed.
The teen had a passion for skateboarding, enjoyed playing video games, collecting miniature John Deere tractors and making jokes, friends said.
Beverly Kaylor, 48, of Mount Joy Borough, knew Matthew since he was in second grade. She walked to the railroad crossing Friday with her daughter, Brooke, 14, after learning about the accident.
"I was like an aunt to Matthew," Kaylor said. "He was a very outgoing kid and loved riding that skateboard. He even learned some tricks with it."
The Kaylors attended a recent high school graduation party for Matthew's older brother, Anthony Stokes.
Brooke, an eighth-grader, often spent time at Matthew's home while Matthew's grandmother, Martha Smith, watched them.
"Just yesterday we were talking while he was sitting on the couch with his girlfriend," Brooke said. "He treated me like a little sister."
Mount Joy Borough and Amtrak police closed the 200 block of South Market Avenue until about 6 p.m.
A large group of relatives and friends of Matthew gathered on a lawn at the corner of South Market Avenue and Square Street. Some hugged and sobbed while watching investigators.
"We just celebrated Matthew's birthday a few weeks ago," said Heather Kenney, of Mount Joy. "He was just a typical teenager who loved skateboarding."
The train, which had started its route in New York with a layover in Lancaster, stopped about a mile west of the pedestrian crossing after the accident. All passengers remained on the train until it resumed its trip at 5:32 p.m., Romero said.
Angel Rivera, 51, and Elizabeth Rivera, 52, have lived at 208 S. Market Ave. for about 14 months. The house borders the railroad tracks and pedestrian crossing where Matthew was killed.
The couple said Friday they implored borough officials for months to improve safety conditions at the crossing.
"I can't count the number of times I've come outside and warned children to stay off the tracks," Mrs. Rivera said. "Something like this was bound to happen."
Mr. Rivera added, "I spoke to Amtrak, borough officials and the police about how dangerous it is here and nobody would listen."
you know wat i gotta say. fuck the media! matt monroe wouldnt "play" on train tracks. he was a sweet caring guy with no thoughts of putting himself in danger like that. so the media can go screw themselves. matt didnt deserve to die. he was too young and had so much ahead of him. i wasnt a family member, and i wasnt a best friend. but i am someone who cares deeply and is truly hurt by all the rude and nasty things ppl are saying. it hurts.
R.I.P Matt Monroe.
we all really miss you.
Samiee Witman.
I LOVE YOU ZACHARY!
