[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] Blind college student hit, killed by train

[Christopher Sabine]

This is absolutely tragic news. As a blind person, I’m wondering why she failed to realize her close proximity to the tracks. One of my most memorable and favorite routes as a teenager involved crossing a coal yard and a set of railroad tracks. I was able to learn fairly quickly how to distinguish the tracks with my white cane, and I could hear the sound of a train approaching from a great distance. I knew immediately to steer clear of those tracks until I could no longer hear the sound of the train (and had not heard any auditory cues for 30 seconds). I also knew that the farther away from my parallel street I was, the easier the tracks were to detect with my cane.

Maybe someone who attended LCB could chime in on this?

Sending prayers for this student’s family and friends.

Chris

From: Ohio-Communities-of-Faith <ohio-communities-of-faith-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Suzanne Turner via Ohio-Communities-of-Faith
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 4:03 PM
To: 'Nfb of Ohio Communities of Faith Mailing List' <ohio-communities-of-faith at nfbnet.org>
Cc: smturner.234 at gmail.com; 'carolyn peters' <drcarolyn-peters at att.net>
Subject: Re: [Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] Blind college student hit, killed by train

Thank you for sharing. I found out on Sunday and it has made national news.

ST

From: Ohio-Communities-of-Faith <ohio-communities-of-faith-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:ohio-communities-of-faith-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of carolyn peters via Ohio-Communities-of-Faith
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 3:54 PM
To: Nfb of Ohio Communities of Faith Mailing List <ohio-communities-of-faith at nfbnet.org<mailto:ohio-communities-of-faith at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: carolyn peters <drcarolyn-peters at att.net<mailto:drcarolyn-peters at att.net>>
Subject: [Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] Blind college student hit, killed by train

Nt
https://www.fox19.com/2025/01/14/blind-college-student-hit-killed-by-train/
Blind college student hit, killed by train

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio (WOIO<https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/01/12/college-student-bay-village-hit-killed-by-train/>/Gray News) - A blind college student died after being hit by a train in Michigan.

According to the Holland Department of Public Safety, authorities were called to the scene Saturday evening.

Jennifer Kasunick, a junior at Hope College, was found on the scene unconscious and not breathing, according to authorities.

Before the incident, Kasunick was walking on the sidewalk when the train signals were activated. She stopped just west of the tracks, but “apparently did not realize her close proximity to the tracks,” according to police, who cited video footage of the scene.

Authorities said Kasunick was hit by the train as it passed. She was taken to the hospital where she later died.

Her service dog Rowdy survived the accident.

Hope College President Matthew Scogin was a “well-loved member” of the community.

“To know her was to love her,” he said.

Copyright 2025 WOIO via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

rev. Dr. Carolyn Peters, Ohio National Federation Of The Blind, board member. Ohio Communities Of Faith division, President. Miami Valley Chapter, President. 937-657-5134
Dr.carolyn.peters at gmail.com<mailto:Dr.carolyn.peters at gmail.com>

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