Bay Village native dies when hit by train near Michigan college

HOLLAND, Michigan — A Bay Village woman who was a student at a small college in Michigan was killed Saturday when she was struck by a train near the school’s campus in Holland, Mich.

Hope College President Matthew Scogin confirmed the death of Jennifer Kasunick in a post on social media. Scogin described Kasunick, who was a junior at the college, as “a well-loved member of our community.”

“Almost everyone on campus knew Jennifer,” Scogin writes. “And to know her was to love her. Her joyful spirit was a constant source of warmth and light, especially in Phelps Hall, where she served as an RA alongside her service dog, Rowdy, who survived.”

Police have not released information on the incident. Scogin writes in his post that he also has no details.

Cleveland.com news partner WKYC Channel 3 reports Kasunick was born blind. She was very involved in the music programs at Bay Village High School, WKYC reports. She was a member of the orchestra at Hope College, described as a talented violinist who learned all of her music by ear.

“Jennifer was fearless,” Bay Village High School Principal Jason Martin said in a statement to WKYC. “She was larger than life and touched so many members of our Bay Village community. Jennifer and her service dog, Rowdy, wowed audiences in high school musicals, orchestra concerts and walking at graduation in 2023.”

Kasunick was a nominee for the 2024 Accessibility Awareness Award, according to Hope College. The school is a small liberal arts college with just over 3,100 undergraduate students. Holland is located in the western portion of lower Michigan near Lake Michigan.