Peninsula Girl, 14, Identified In Deadly Caltrain Strike

REDWOOD CITY, CA — The Redwood City community is grieving the loss of a local girl who died after getting struck by a train in town this week. Coroner's officials on Thursday publicly identified the victim of Tuesday's fatal Caltrain strike as Holly Spalletta of Redwood City. She was only 14.

On Wednesday, Sequoia Union High School District Superintendent Mary Streshly issued a statement to parents and students about the loss of a 9th grader at Sequoia High School.

"It is with great sadness that we share with you that we have tragically lost one of our students," she said in a statement, shared with Patch.

"The loss of life of a student is both painful and traumatic due to the fact that it does not fit into the natural order of life, as we never expect our children to pass before we do," she continued in the statement. "Yet, through this pain, we must come together to support each other, and, to support the family that just lost their child as their life has been forever changed. On behalf of the Sequoia Union High School District, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, and want our community to know that we will be there for you as we navigate this tragic moment."

Grief counselors, mental health therapists and psychologists were being made available to fellow students on campus, Streshly said.

Caltrain officials reported the death on Tuesday night. The incident happened at 5:02 p.m. near the Whipple Avenue grade crossing. Additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding Spalletta's death were not available.

"No matter what the circumstances, it is always regrettable when a life is lost," Caltrain Spokesman Dan Lieberman said following the death. "Caltrain reminds everyone to be safe around train tracks."

The death marks the sixth time this year someone has died on Caltrain tracks.

If You Need Help Or Know Someone in Crisis

Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is also a Lifeline Crisis Chat service available within the United States 24/7.

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