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Juan Carlos Robles-Melara, 13, dies after being hit by an Amtrak Cascades train in Gervais, Oregon

Modified Date: 
Sun, 08/29/2021 - 9:06am
Accident Date: 
Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Amtrak train strikes kills boy, 13, south of Gervais

There were 55 passengers on the train from Seattle to Eugene. The train was halted for about two hours before proceeding on to Salem.

Woodburn middle schooler hit by Amtrak, dies

Juan Carlos Robles-Melara was a student at French Prairie Middle School in Woodburn and was a soccer player. Authorities said Wednesday he was a high functioning student with autism.

Woodburn boy hit by train was miles from home

Robles-Melara was a seventh-grader who was well-liked in the tight-knit community of the Woodburn School District, said superintendent Chuck Ransom. The news of his death sent shock waves among students and staff alike at the small middle school.

A 13-year-old boy, originally reported missing, died Tuesday evening after being hit by a southbound Amtrak Cascades train in Gervais, Oregon, several miles from his home in Woodburn. The accident occured around 7:30 p.m. on October 21 when the boy was walking on the tracks. The 55-passenger train stopped for hours until contining to Salem.   

Type: Train Accident
People Involved: 
Juan Carlos Robles-Melara
City: 
Gervais, OR
County: 
Marion County, OR
Area: 
Portland, OR

Comments

Submitted by Becky Hernandez on Sat, 08/21/2021 - 5:02pm
It makes me sadness. I lost my biological son : Juan Carlos Robles Melara My son was a beautiful boy inside & out. He might of had autism but he was still smart. & he loved to play soccer & he would never have ended his life. He had friends & a life. He had a lot to live for. But maybe being separated from me his biological mother was too much for him. I am not sure why my son was on the train track in 2014. I. Just want to tell my son I love 💘 him.& I think he is in heaven.

Submitted by Sally on Sun, 09/05/2021 - 7:53am

I am so saddened to hear about your terrible loss. Many prayers are being said for you and your son, in Heaven. May you find some peace and comfort. 🙏

Submitted by Becky Hernandez on Wed, 02/09/2022 - 2:25pm
Thanks for your prayers. & for giving support to my son. Well. Not everyone deserves peace. Some people deserves war. But my fantasy idea is 🌎 ✌. I know would peace ✌ is just a fantasy idea 💡 because there were WARS BEFORE I WAS BORN. & IN SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD THERE IS STILL WAR. & people just look at you & judge you by what they see. & everyone has two eye's but noone has the same view. & being mixed 🏁 it can be harder at times to blend in public. Every thing i was raised to believe about what is inside my D.N.A. & R.N.A was a lie. I was adopted. I was told by 23& me that I have 6 quarter. 3 sides. One quarter west African. & one quarter Inca. & the rest south Europe

Submitted by Becky Hernandez on Thu, 08/26/2021 - 9:17am
I could never replace my son. The years may come & go. But,, no one understands my pain. Of losing my 2 times. The first time I lost my son the state of Oregon took him away from me. But I thought I was a good mother. & the second time I lost my son forever. I wasn't even allowed to cry for my son. Well I am happy he was born. At least he had a life. He was one of the best thing that happened in my life. My biological son Juan Carlos Robles Melara we used to have fun visiting. But now all I have are memories. I just feel that my son should always be remembered & never forget. His life mean something.

Submitted by Becky Hernandez on Thu, 08/26/2021 - 10:20am
I guess it was tough on anyone who knew my biological son " Juan Carlos Robles Melara " weather they were his closest friends , classmates, team members on the soccer team, church members iglesia el milagro, Woodburn, Oregon his adopted family. & his biological family.. it's been almost 7 years from October 21, 2014 that rainy day my son was walking on the train track. It unknown the reason why he was walking so far away. All I heard is that it is a shortcuts between the cities of Woodburn & Gervais & Brooks. All the train trails are about 35 miles south of Portland, Oregon. & I heard that the train that hid my son had 55 passengers on the train & they came from Seattle & were going to Eugene, Oregon but they got to Eugene, Oregon late that day because the train had to stop. The police or medical officials had to try & help my son. But it was too late. & someone said that my son yelled really loud. He must have been in a lot of pain. Because he almost never cried. He was a happy-go-lucky young 13 & half year old. Who was taken too soon. & I'll be 👌

Submitted by Erika Buonpastore on Sun, 08/29/2021 - 5:12am
So sorry for your loss ma'am.. Very saddening.

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