ROSEMEAD — Investigators Sunday continued looking into how two 19-year-old best friends from Rosemead ended up on a set of railroad tracks, where they were fatally struck by a freight train.
Meanwhile, family and community members paid their respects to lifelong Rosemead residents Aaron Gallardo and Richard Haro.
Both men died about 12:30 a.m. Saturday after they were struck by a Union Pacific freight train on the tracks just north of the 8800 block of Grand Avenue, sheriff’s and coroner’s officials said.
The train’s crew reported seeing what appeared to be one person lying across the tracks before impact, but they were unable to stop in time, sheriff’s officials said.
The deaths are believed to be accidental, though sheriff’s officials released no further information about the circumstances of the crash.
“I miss him so much,” said Haro’s mother, Kim Alenbaugh said at the crash scene Sunday. “I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this nightmare.”
As a long freight train passed by the crash scene, which friends and family members adorned with flowers and candles, she broke down in tears.
Aaron Gallardo’s brother, 20-year-old Jeremy Gallardo, said he was also having a hard time accepting what had happened.
“It’s still kind of surreal just trying to think about it,” he said. “I’m still kind of thinking this isn’t real.”
Coroner’s officials said an autopsy was expected to be performed on the bodies Monday, and that toxicology tests would also likely be ordered. It could be weeks before an official cause of death is determined.
Haro, a culinary arts student, loved to cook and eat fine foods, Alenbaugh said. He also was fond of music, reading and cars.
“He was just a loving, loving boy,” she said. “I always got unlimited hugs and kisses from him, even at 19.”
The mother added that Haro was well-liked wherever he went.
“He just lit up the room when he walked in,” she said.
Alenbaugh said that after her son finished culinary school, he wanted to start a business in Seattle or Paris.
“He had a real zest for his future plans,” she said. He wanted to make a lot of money and travel the world and see things.”
Haro’s uncle, Ron Alenbaugh, said his nephew was “full of life.”
“He had so many dreams and inspirations,” he said.
Ron Alenbaugh fondly recalled teaching his nephew to drive a stick-shift.
The car lurched and stalled for hours as Richard Haro tried to get the hang of the clutch.
“He was just laughing,” the uncle said.
Kim Alenbaugh said since her son met Aaron Gallardo in the 6th grade, they were rarely apart afterward.
“We couldn’t separate those two,” she said.
Jeremy Gallardo said his brother, Aaron Gallardo, was a talented artist who prized his individuality.
“He made his own rules,” the brother said.
An avid weight-lifter and fan of punk rock music, Aaron Gallardo also loved to draw and was hoping to study drafting at college, family members said.
“He always had the radio on,” Jeremy Gallardo said, and his artwork was always displayed on the walls of his bedroom.
Aaron Gallardo largely kept to himself when outside the house, but could be goofy and funny at home.
Andrew Gallardo described his son as a caring young man.
“He was a really good kid,” he said. “He wasn’t a kid to cause problems or fight with anybody. He has a real mellow spirit to him.”
Richard Haro leaves behind a younger brother, while Aaron Gallardo is survived by a younger brother and an older brother, family members said.
Rosemead City Councilwoman Margaret Clark offered her condolences to the mourning families, adding that both young men appeared to have “tremendous potential.”
“I’m just so sad that this happened in our community,” she said. “Our prayers go out to the families.”