MBTA transit police remained at the Norwood Central Commuter Rail parking lot Monday, one day after a horrific snowplow accident killed a 51-year-old Norwood woman and as a powerful weekend snowstorm hit Massachusetts.
On Lenox Street, a man named Mike, who asked not to be named, told Boston 25 News reporter Bob Ward that he saw police lights across the street and later realized what was happening.
“I’m really shocked that this happened in my front yard,” he said.
MBTA Transit Police identified the victim as 51-year-old Noriko Rapley of Norwood.
MBTA confirms woman struck and killed by plow while walking with husband in commuter rail parking lot
Her husband, Joseph Rapley, 47, was also shot as the couple walked through the parking lot together.
He was released from a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Bob Ward spoke with him at his home in Norwood, but he did not want to be interviewed.
“Thoughts and prayers for my husband. I can’t imagine having to go through this. It’s heartbreaking,” said John Ritz of Norwood.
Traffic police said the couple were hit around 2pm on Sunday when the driver of a Ford 350 truck reversed into them while trying to clear a parking lot.
The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with detectives, authorities said.
Neighbors told Ward it was snowing heavily when the fatal accident occurred.
“It might be hard to see, but it’s true, it went down a lot,” Judy Thibault said.
Dr. Noriko Oshiro-Rapley is a researcher and lecturer at Massachusetts General Hospital. Boston 25 News reached out to a statement, which provided the following:
Noriko is a distinguished scientist whose work stems from rigor, creativity, and a deep commitment to understanding human biology. Most recently, her research has focused on intestinal biology, with the goal of advancing new treatments for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. She has a rare ability to treat complex biological systems experimentally, combining deep expertise in cellular and molecular biology with innovative model systems. Through the creative use of intestinal organoids, her work advances the frontiers of cell and tissue modeling and reveals previously unknown mechanisms linking genetics, intestinal physiology, autoimmunity and allergy. It is crucial to her that her scientific rigor is matched by her integrity.
Noriko’s impact on our community continues for many years. She began her career at MGH in 2008 as a research scientist in the Department of Molecular Biology and Medicine. In 2019, she joined the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology (CCIB) under the leadership of Dr. Ramnik Xavier, where she continues to push the boundaries of science with her extraordinary talent, curiosity, and dedication. In addition to her many contributions to science, Noriko was a kind and generous colleague—always willing to help others, lift their spirits with a thoughtful word, or share a homemade dessert. She touched the lives of those around her in lasting and meaningful ways, and she will be deeply missed.
No charges have been filed in the case.
Authorities have not yet revealed the identity of the snowplow driver, saying only that he is 33 years old and is cooperating with the investigation.
This is a development story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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