Fatal Emmitsburg skateboarding accident death of Paul Keagan Jaravata – Obituary
In a tragic turn of events, Paul Keagan Jaravata, a Mount St. Mary’s University student, succumbed to injuries sustained in a severe skateboarding accident that occurred off-campus nearly a week ago.
Mount President Timothy Trainor shared the heartbreaking news during a campus vigil held on Tuesday evening, where students and staff gathered to offer their prayers for Jaravata’s recovery.
The emotional event was broadcasted via Facebook, allowing Jaravata’s family, scattered across the country, to join in the solemn occasion, with some present at his bedside in a Baltimore hospital.
Jaravata, a promising member of the Mount’s Class of 2024, had his life abruptly altered shortly after midnight on September 1.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call from a concerned motorist who had discovered an unconscious individual lying by a skateboard on Irishtown Road in Emmitsburg, situated at the base of a steep hill. The person’s identity was later confirmed as Paul Keagan Jaravata.
Upon the arrival of deputies, Jaravata was drifting in and out of consciousness, exhibiting injuries consistent with a high-velocity fall while skateboarding downhill, rather than injuries indicative of a collision with a motor vehicle, as detailed in a Facebook post by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.
Initially, the victim remained unidentified, prompting the department to release a photograph of the skateboard and request assistance from the community in identifying the individual. Subsequently, the department was able to establish Jaravata’s identity and promptly transported him to the hospital.
Jaravata was a dedicated psychology major and an active member of the Health Professions Club on campus, as conveyed in a statement by Mount spokesperson Donna Klinger. His involvement extended to various campus organizations, including the Mount Music Society, the Asian Culture Club, the Photography Club, and the Campus Ministry. In addition, he enjoyed participating in intramural dodgeball activities.
The Mount’s social media posts resonated with the sentiment that Jaravata was a cherished member of the campus community, noting, “Keagan will be remembered for his diverse interests, academic excellence, musical talents, and zest for life.”