Crime & Safety
Star N.J. Athlete From Verona Killed By Train In Massachusetts
A star athlete at a New Jersey high school was killed by a train. Tributes have been pouring in.
A star New Jersey athlete was killed when he was struck by a train in Massachusetts this week, police said. Danny Cooney, 20, a St. Peter's Prep graduate who was Hudson County Baseball Player of the Year in 2015, was struck by a CSX freight train at 1:25 a.m. Sunday morning.
Cooney, of Verona, was a sophomore at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, MassLive.com reported. He was was struck in Southborough, which is about 12 miles from the school, in Worcester County.
The incident happened on Sunday, when Massachusetts Transit Police units said they received a radio call to respond to the Southborough Commuter Rail station for a report of a person possibly struck by a train.
Find out what's happening in Verona-Cedar Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Multiple Transit police officers, along with Southborough Fire and EMS responded. Transit police personnel on the scene reported that Cooney was trespassing on the right of way when he was struck by a CSX freight train in the vicinity of Southville Road.
Cooney has been pronounced dead as a result of the injuries, police said.
Find out what's happening in Verona-Cedar Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Transit Police detectives, along with representatives of the Worcester County DA's Office, say they are currently investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. Foul play is not suspected.
Tributes have been pouring in for Cooney. As a pitcher during his senior season at Prep, Cooney was 4-1, with a 2.18 ERA, in helping the Marauders to a 26-3 record and the 2015 Hudson County Tournament championship, according to nj.com. Cooney received all-state honors, and Prep finished as the No. 6 team in the state.
Rest easy Dan Cooney another one gone too soon... Forever in our hearts. #P4L
— Dom Meleo (@dommeleo24_) April 9, 2017
He liked my cookies. He also said he liked the T Swift concert. So naturally I loved the kid. Rest In Peace our Prep brother Dan Cooney pic.twitter.com/sLYQhS1fyH
— MDW (@marcwithaC_23) April 9, 2017
We lost one of our own today. Dan Cooney of the Class of 2015. A man for others on the diamond and in life. Rest easy brother #PrepForLife
— Marauder Nation (@TheNation2017) April 9, 2017
Pat Laguerre, Cooney's baseball coach at St. Peter's Prep, told nj.com that the 20-year-old was recovering from "Tommy John" surgery and was looking forward to getting back on the field. Laguerre received a congratulatory text from Cooney after earning his 300th win.
"Danny left a real positive impact on the team," Laguerre told nj.com. "He was one of the captains on the team as a senior. ... That team was a tight-knit group."
Photo courtesy of Cooney family
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