Wheaton Community Mourns Loss of Student-Athlete

The Wheaton community is grieving the loss of a college student-athlete who died after being struck by a train on Sunday morning. The student, identified as Tomassino “Tommy” Offer, was 18 years old and from Washington Township, Michigan. The incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. in downtown Wheaton.

According to Metra officials, Offer was walking across the Union Pacific tracks when the accident happened. Witnesses reported that Offer waited for a westbound Union Pacific freight train to pass before attempting to cross. Unfortunately, an eastbound freight train struck him. Metra spokesperson Meg Thomas-Reile stated, “The incident remains under investigation, but there’s no information at this time indicating it was anything other than a tragic accident.”

Offer, a freshman at Wheaton College, was part of their baseball team. The team is deeply affected by his passing. Matt Husted, head baseball coach at Wheaton, expressed the team’s grief, stating, “Our hearts are heavy as we grieve alongside Tommy’s family and friends.” Husted added that the team finds solace knowing Offer was strong in his faith.

Before the accident, Offer attended Mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wheaton. Church officials shared on Facebook that Offer regularly attended the 9 a.m. Mass since arriving in Wheaton in August. They regarded him as having found a spiritual home there and organized a memorial Mass in his honor.

Reflecting on Offer’s personality, Husted described him as sincere and joyful. “He was a competitor and showed genuine interest in other people,” said Husted, noting qualities that made Offer a valued teammate.