February 21, 2001

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/ e-mail loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG - A Central Washington University student was killed yesterday when he was struck by a westbound Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) train at the Dry Creek Road connection, two miles west of Ellensburg.

According to a Kittitas County Sheriff's Office report, the victim, identified as Yom L. Hogan of Seattle, either fell or jumped under the last car of the train. The report indicates that, based upon physical evidence, there is no reason to suspect any criminal intent or activity.

A BNSF employee discovered Hogan's body just after noon yesterday. He had been seen on CWU's Ellensburg campus earlier in the day.

The 24-year-old senior had not yet declared a major. Hogan was a 1995 graduate of The Northwest School, a college preparatory day and boarding school in Seattle.

He is survived by his wife, Ayako, who is a CWU student.

"This is an extremely unfortunate situation," Dr. James Pappas, CWU vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, says. "Speaking for the campus community, our heartfelt sympathies go out to all the people he interacted with, particularly his wife and parents."

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you need additional information, contact Kittitas County Undersheriff Rob DeGroot at (509) 962-7525.