Rutgers graduates killed in Spring Street subway crash identified as close friends

Key points

• Chitre and Kaul, both 24, were identified as longtime friends and recent Rutgers University graduates from New Jersey.
• The fatal collision occurred at the Spring Street station in Lower Manhattan at approximately 3:15 a.m. on September 13, 2026.
• Chitre was employed as a quality operations specialist at Acadia Pharmaceuticals and was studying for a doctorate in pharmacy at Temple University.
• Kaul worked as a financial data analyst at Bloomberg and had attended the Rutgers Business School from 2020 to 2024.
• Investigators are examining whether alcohol or disorientation contributed to the pair being on the tracks, with no suicide notes discovered.

Background

This incident follows a series of fatal subway accidents in New York City earlier in 2026, including the death of an MTA flagger near Yankee Stadium in September. The MTA has reported that 58 people died in train strikes or falls from trains through August 2026, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on the subway system.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post emphasized the victims’ close friendship and promising career trajectories, citing friends who described them as part of the same social circle. The New York Daily News focused on the mechanics of the accident, reporting that one victim may have fallen onto the tracks and the other attempted to help, with the woman reportedly laughing as they were struck. amNewYork provided the initial police report details, noting the victims were found sitting on the roadbed as the train arrived. The Independent highlighted the apparent disorientation of the pair, noting they did not seem to realize the train was approaching. Outlets differ on whether the incident was accidental or intentional, with the Daily News and Independent suggesting possible intoxication or disorientation, while the Post focuses on the lack of motive for self-harm.

Why it matters

The deaths of two young, recent graduates underscore the ongoing risks of subway accidents in New York City and raise questions about the causes of such incidents, including potential intoxication or disorientation. The case also highlights the human cost of subway safety issues, as the victims were described as having promising careers and strong social connections.

What to watch

Investigators will continue to determine the cause of the incident, including whether alcohol or other factors contributed to the pair being on the tracks. The MTA and NYPD are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.