Who were Kaleb Banzer and Brayden Fear? Best friends, 19, who were 'literally inseparable' die after being hit by train
PORTLAND, OREGON: Kaleb Banzer and Brayden Fear who were best friends and were both aged 19, died tragically after being hit by a train in Portland, Oregon on November 4, according to Portland Police.
Their families and police said the two young boys who were '"inseparable" got involved in a car crash on Interstate 84.
How did Kaleb Banzer and Brayden Fear crash into the train?
The friends had climbed over a barrier to retrieve a car part that had landed on the railroad tracks in a car crash, unaware of the approaching MAX light-rail train.
The double fatality occurred near TriMet property at 9.39 pm when the train struck them, killing both.
Portland police who responded to the scene reported that speed was suspected as a factor noting that a vehicle was damaged in a "single-vehicle, non-injury crash on the freeway."
"After the crash, two occupants of the vehicle jumped over the barrier to retrieve a car part that was in the TriMet restricted area. Both were struck by the train," the police noted.
Kaleb Banzer and Brayden Fear were described as 'inseparable'
The two friends were described as “inseparable” by Fear’s aunt Jody Golston.
“[They were] literally were inseparable, and they were living their best lives at 19,” she said.
She told KPTV that Fear who graduated from Oregon City Service Learning Academy had recently bought his “dream car” while working as a car detailer and loved to take road trips.
He was also planning to open his own business. She said, "It’s so new and it’s so fresh, we’re just taking it minute by minute honestly."
Banzer, who lived in Boring, was also passionate about cars and had posted pictures of his vehicle on social media.
The two 'best friends' had recently reconnected and were spending time together, Golston said.
'A lot of trauma': Portland police are investigating the incident
The Portland Police Traffic Division Major Crash Team is investigating the incident which closed part of the highway and disrupted light-rail train schedules.
“A very difficult situation for a lot of people. A lot of trauma, very graphic from what I’ve been told, a very challenging scene to manage,” interim Police Chief Bob Day told KATU.
Families have set up GoFundMe pages for funeral expenses and burial. "This is a very hard time for our family to try and process this huge loss," Jody Golston wrote on the fundraiser.
Kaleb’s family wrote on the fundraiser, "Kaleb lit up the room wherever he was. This loss will affect us forever."