Dozens Gather To Remember Girl Hit By Train In Front Of Twin Sister In Rancho Cordova
RANCHO CORDOVA (CBS13) — Dozens of people gathered to remember a 15-year-old girl killed by a Regional Transit train in Rancho Cordova, just feet away from her twin sister.
Mariah Burgess was struck in the area of Coloma Road and Folsom Boulevard at around 3 p.m. on Thursday. She was walking with her twin sister and another friend.
Investigators say earbuds were found near the crash scene indicating it's possible the teen didn't hear or see the train coming.
"It's crazy how you can just get life taken away from you in like a second," said friend Ximena Chavez.
Friends called Burgess a joy to be around. The freshman was trying out for the rugby team at Cordova High School where she was a freshman.
"She was just easy to talk to friend with everyone always trying to make people smile," said friend Leslie Naevas.
Next Level Christian Ministry Pastor Raymond Bradley helped organize Thursday evening's gathering to remember a member of her congregation lost on the tracks where they gathered.
"She was always smiling always laughing . A valuable member of our ministry," he said.
The train was traveling no faster than 35 MPH, RT officials say. The driver slammed on the brakes, but it was too late.
