The heartbreaking incident also brought back memories of another loss that had shaken a community just a few years earlier. In 2011, three teens — Savannah Webster, 13, her sister Kelsea, 15, and their friend Essa Ricker, 15 — died in Utah’s Spanish Fork Canyon while spending time near the railroad tracks. They had intended to capture a striking photo together but were caught off guard by a train coming from the opposite direction.

Both tragedies serve as painful reminders of how quickly moments of joy can turn dangerous near train tracks. Families and safety advocates continue to urge young people to avoid railroad areas, emphasizing that trains often appear faster and wider than they seem.

For Christine DeReggi, sharing her son’s story is not only a way to honor his memory but also a way to encourage others to take caution. “The moments before were beautiful,” she said, holding onto the photos of John’s final afternoon — images that captured his smile, his laughter, and his love of life.

While nothing can erase the pain of losing him, those memories remain a testament to who John was: a bright, adventurous teen whose spirit continues to inspire those who knew and loved him.