Girl Killed by VTA Train Was Del Mar High School Student

Del Mar High School Principal Jennifer Baldwin said this weekend that the 14-year-old girl on a bicycle who died after she was struck by a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light-rail train in San Jose Friday morning was one of her students. 

Danika Tyler Garcia was struck around 7:30 a.m. at Stokes Street near Southwest Expressway, according to the sheriff's office. 

She was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later succumbed to those injuries, sheriff's officials said. 

"It is with great sadness that I share with you the loss of one of our Del Mar students," Baldwin posted on the school's website. " ... Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family in their time of grief." 

Baldwin said the school would continue to have additional counseling staff at Del Mar to provide emotional support for students and staff Tuesday and into the week.

"Again, we offer our most heartfelt condolences to the family for their loss," she said in the note.

The principal told students that if during the weekend they felt need for emotional support and counseling, The Center for Living and Dying was available as a resource. 

The Center for Living and Dying cans be reached at 408-650-6125. 

A donation fund has been established by the girl's friends to help her family cover for funeral expenses. Organizers hope to raise $10,000. As of Sunday evening, the effort had received more than $1,800. 

On the legacy.com death notice for the girl, more than 20 friends had left heartfelt messages of condolence. 

ALSO ON CAMPBELL PATCH:  

• Girl on Bicycle Dies After Being Struck by VTA Train

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