16-year-old boy hit and killed by train in Merced, police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Merced Police say it was near this railroad crossing that 16-year-old Devonea Graham lost his life Saturday afternoon.

Officers say the teen and his two younger siblings were crossing the tracks at P and 24th Streets when Graham was hit by a train.

Not far from that location, Rosalinda Vega lost her 13-year-old son, Vicente Mancera, to similar circumstances in 2019.

This latest tragedy stirring up painful memories.

"Anyone who has not lost a child could never possibly understand the pain and the change that that takes on life," she said.

Vega's son was on his way home from school when the accident happened.

She says the stretch of train tracks along 24th Street isn't blocked off and is easily accessible to children.

It also runs near two schools. She says more needs to be done to keep kids away.

"If we put up a fence to avoid that, then children will be obligated to walk around to come home," she said.

Police say anyone wanting to cross the tracks should do so at designated crossings or use the G Street overpass.

Now as another family grieves the loss of a teenager, Vega says she and another mother are looking to start a support group.

She's also taking matters into her own hands by advocating for more safety measures.

Vega says she is raising money for a fence along the railroad to prevent future tragedy on the tracks.