ABINGTON, MA – For years, the town of Abington has grappled with a disturbing and persistent problem: a disproportionately high number of fatal and serious incidents along its MBTA commuter rail lines. Despite ongoing efforts by town officials to advocate for improved safety measures, the tracks continue to be the scene of tragic collisions, leading to deep concern and frustration within the community.
A History of Tragedies on the Tracks
Since the Old Colony Line service was restored in 1997, Abington has witnessed more than 30 incidents involving trains striking people or vehicles, with 21 of these occurring within the town and 12 happening along a concentrated 200-yard stretch between North Avenue and Birch Street. This makes Abington's crossings among the most dangerous in the state, with North Avenue and Birch Street ranking 11th and 16th respectively for the highest predicted number of crashes out of 244 at-grade MBTA Commuter Rail crossings in Massachusetts.
Tragic incidents include:
• In 1998, 15-year-old Kelly Ann Boyd was killed at the Pine Street grade crossing after riding her bicycle around a gate.
• An Abington High School senior, Katelyn McCarthy, was fatally struck while crossing the tracks at Birch Street in May 2022. Investigators stated she was looking at her phone when she stepped into the train's path. Her mother, Lori Frost, believes the death was preventable and not a suicide, and has become a vocal advocate for safety improvements.
• Just a few months later, in August 2022, a person walking along the tracks was struck and killed near the Plymouth Street crossing. Transit Police reported the victim intentionally stepped in the train's path.
• A 19-year-old was killed at the Birch Street crossing in April 2023 when he drove around an automated gate and stopped his vehicle on the tracks.
• In December 2024, a woman in her car was seriously injured after her vehicle stopped on the North Street tracks and was struck by a train. Witnesses observed the driver stop on the tracks as gates lowered, and then attempt to maneuver, hitting a signal arm. The train's engineer reportedly blew the horn and braked, but the train still dragged the vehicle about 50 yards.
• An off-duty Randolph Police Sgt. Scott Sherman was struck and killed by a northbound train at the North Street grade crossing in March 2025 while attempting to cross the tracks on foot.
• Later in March 2025, an MBTA commuter rail train struck a person on the tracks late at night, with Transit Police stating the victim intentionally stepped in the path of the train.
• Most recently, in April 2025, a driver was found dead in her SUV after it was hit by an MBTA commuter train at the Centre Avenue railroad crossing. Prosecutors confirmed the warning lights were working, the train had no mechanical faults, the engineer was sounding the horn, and the train was under the speed limit. A Keolis spokesperson indicated the car drove through the gates.
In nearly all these incidents, the existing safety measures, such as flashing lights, descending traffic gates, and ringing bells, were reported to be functional. The problem often stems from drivers or pedestrians bypassing or ignoring these warnings.
The Town's Frustrated Response
Abington officials have repeatedly expressed their concern and frustration over the continuous incidents. In 2023 Former Select Board Chairman Alex Bezanson has been advocating for improved safety for nearly a decade, even before Katelyn McCarthy's death. He previously summoned the MBTA for a meeting in 2017 following another fatal crash, but felt the town received no follow-up on proposed measures like pedestrian gates or quadrant gates.
Town Manager Scott Lambiase has also been a key voice, highlighting the "unacceptable safety risks" and the "significant financial and operational burden" placed on Abington's police and first responders due to these incidents. Public safety officials echoed these concerns, particularly about malfunctioning gates tying up valuable resources.
In 2023, the town commissioned a study by transportation consulting firm TrafInfo to analyze its seven at-grade commuter rail crossings. The study confirmed Abington's disproportionate accident rate and identified minor safety deficiencies, such as improperly placed signs, and more substantial issues, like the absence of a pedestrian arm on Summer Street. TrafInfo engineers suggested additional safety measures including better signage, reworked crosswalks, and even slowing down trains in the area. They also recommended installing quad gates and second pedestrian gates at crossings like Birch Street to further deter people from crossing when a train is present.
Beyond the collisions, Abington has faced an increasing number of incidents with chronically malfunctioning crossing gates. Town records show over 35 such incidents in the past year alone, with gates failing to lower or remaining stuck down long after trains passed. These malfunctions, especially when all seven crossings fail simultaneously, create "logistical nightmares" for police, requiring them to reroute traffic and diverting resources from other duties. This has led to a "dangerous complacency" among motorists who bypass the stuck gates, posing severe risks.
In July 2025, the Abington Select Board formally requested an immediate public meeting with MBTA leadership, including the Chief Operating Officer, and Keolis (the commuter rail operator), to explain what corrective actions will be taken and how future disruptions will be prevented. Copies of this letter have also been sent to state officials, including Governor Maura Healey and the Secretary of Transportation, in an effort to demand greater attention and accountability. The town also voted to explore billing the MBTA for the costs incurred by local police and highway departments responding to these incidents.
What's Been Done and Ongoing Efforts
The MBTA maintains that Abington's grade crossings largely meet federal minimum safety standards. However, under pressure from Abington and other communities, the MBTA announced system-wide safety improvements and upgrades in July 2023. These include:
• Painting more visible "fog lines" and crosshatching on roadways at crossings.
• Installing pavement reflectors.
• Placing reflective plastic bollards to remind drivers not to turn onto the tracks.
• Working with navigational apps to alert drivers as they approach train tracks.
In August 2024, the MBTA undertook work to rebuild the chronically malfunctioning Centre Avenue grade crossing, a significant source of glitches. This work involved replacing existing tracks, wooden ties, and rock ballast, with the agency suspecting poor drainage as a contributing factor to the malfunctions. Underground conduits are also being installed to facilitate future maintenance. Abington officials are monitoring this work closely, stating "the proof is in the final solution".
Despite these efforts, local leaders like Scott Lambiase continue to push for more permanent solutions, including physical changes, improved signage, warning upgrades, and educational initiatives. Lori Frost, Katelyn McCarthy's mother, remains determined, stating, "It's going to take a little money. It's going to take some planning. It's going to take some action, but we're going to save lives. I want to save lives". The town is not giving up and will continue to demand action from the MBTA to ensure the safety of its residents.
Sources include Abington News, WHDH, NBC Boston, Boston 25, Reddit, the Town of Abington website, and the TrafInfo Study.
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