NJ Boy, 13, Killed by Train While Crossing Tracks

Friends of 13-year-old Michael Cabaj rushed Monday evening to the New Jersey Transit's Plauderville stop, devastated over the news that the seventh-grader was struck and killed by a train there.

"I can't believe it," said Catelyn Viughe, a friend of Cabaj. "I really can't."

Viughe wasn't the only one in disbelief. Teenager after teenager gathered around, while parents tried to offer some consolation.

Witness Jamilka Rodriguez said she saw Cabaj trying to cross the tracks on his push scooter. She believes the boy thought he was in the clear when the northbound train passed by. But the southbound train was approaching, too, and the boy didn't see it until it was too late.

The accident Monday night comes less than a day after three teenagers were struck by a NJ Transit train in Wayne Sunday. Two of the boys died on impact, while the third is recovering at a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The latest victim, Michael Cabaj, was reportedly just on his way home from cross-country practice.

Train service on the Bergen County line was suspended between the Rutherford and Glen Rock stations at around 5 p.m. as police responded to the accident. Service resumed at around 6:30 p.m.