Train Crash Death of Point Pleasant Woman Ruled Suicide

An autopsy shows that Lily Seegobin committed suicide when she drove onto railroad tracks in Spring Lake on Saturday night, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office.

The Monmouth County medical examiner completed an autopsy on Sunday and ruled the death was a suicide, said Marc Lemieux, director of the Major Crimes Bureau of the county prosecutor's office, on Monday afternoon.

"And our investigation is consistent with the autopsy findings," Lemieux said.

Seegobin was alone in her car and died instantly, authorities have said.

Seegobin, 19, had graduated from Point Pleasant Borough High School in June 2010 and was attending Rutgers University Business School.

On Monday, she was remembered fondly by faculty and students at the high school.

She had been a cheerleader during her freshman year and played softball all four years of high school, playing for the varsity team during her senior year.

She was involved in the Yearbook Club and Future Business Leaders of America.

Pat Grasso, Seegobin's high school guidance counselor, said, "Lily was an excellent student, balancing various activities with an assortment of Advanced Placement classes. She was popular, independent and confident. My heart goes out to her family."

Grief counseling services have been coordinated by the high school's administration, the Guidance Department and Rita Miller, supervisor of pupil personnel services.

Dan Stessel, a spokesperson for NJ Transit, confirmed that at 9:35 p.m. Saturday, a 2004 black Honda CR-V driven by Seegobin was struck at the Monmouth Avenue crossing.

Stessel confirmed earlier witness reports that the railroad gates were in the down position and all signaling lights were functioning when Seegobin attempted to swerve around the gates to cross the tracks.

Last Friday, a 17-year-old Long Branch resident was struck and killed by a NJ Transit train near Chelsea Avenue in Long Branch. Days later, a 15-year-old Long Branch boy was injured when he was struck by a train while walking on NJ Transit tracks near Long Branch's Cedar Avenue.

Six people have now died on the North Jersey Coast Line tracks since 2008.

Seegobin's Honda was struck by North Jersey Coastline Train 4772 which was traveling north from Bay Head towards Long Branch.

When asked if authorities have any idea why Seegobin would choose to do this, Lemieux said, "I have no idea."