UD student hit by traing after leaving fraternity party

[madmax]

A University of Delaware student was hit by a train after leaving a fraternity party. The article doesn't mention which fraternity.

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University of Delaware freshman struck by train after leaving party
September 14, 2004

NEWARK, Del. -- A University of Delaware student who got lost on her way back to her dormitory from an off-campus fraternity party was struck and killed by a train, Newark police said.

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Officials believe the train hit Rachel Payne, 18, of West Hartford, Conn., at 3:25 a.m. Sunday and that several trains passed before her body was found about three hours later on a railroad trestle.

Newark Police Chief Gerald Conway said Monday that police traced Payne's steps by checking calls she made from her cell phone shortly before her death. Payne left the party alone at 1:28 a.m. and called a friend to say she was lost. She made several other calls on her phone and at 2:39 a.m., made a final call to say she was still trying to find her dorm.

About 45 minutes later, Payne was struck.

A CSX train operator reported at 5:57 a.m. that a train may have struck something. The next train stopped and the body was found, Conway said.

A medical examiner ruled Payne died of massive head and internal injuries. Conway said toxicology tests were being conducted to determine if alcohol was a factor.

He would not disclose the name of the fraternity, and said the investigation was continuing.

Conway and university officials said students do not usually walk on the railroad trestle. The university's public safety director will implement education sessions for students on crossing railroad tracks, said Martin Mbugua, a university spokesman.

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