Teacher Killed After LIRR Train Strikes Car

A teacher has been identified as the person who was killed after her car veered onto train tracks and was struck by a Long Island Rail Road train early Saturday in East Northport. Elizabeth Gallagher, 29, of Centereach, struck a guardrail, which caused her vehicle to go down an embankment and get struck by an eastbound train at about 2:10 a.m., the New York Post reported.

Gallagher, who was discovered dead outside of her vehicle, would have turned 30 March 6.

A former middle school teacher in the Roosevelt School District, according to the Post, Gallagher was on her way home from her second job at a restaurant when the high winds caused her car to veer off the road, the New York Daily News reported.

A fundraiser collecting donations for Gallagher's funeral service raised about $12,000 in one day.

On the donation page, one person commented, "This is truly crushing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. She was a beautiful soul. Going to miss all her upbeat facebook posts!"

Another wrote, "You were a true ray of sunshine in my life. I'm forever grateful to have the memories I have growing up with you. Still can't believe it. My deepest condolences to your family."

Image via GoFundMe