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WEST JORDAN -- A 15-year-old girl who was hit and killed by a Utah Transit Authority test-line TRAX train on June 8, will be laid to rest Monday.
"Everyone's going to miss her, and if I had a chance, I would bring her back in a heartbeat," said Acacia Karr, Shariah Casper's cousin.
Acacia was with her cousin when Shariah was hit by the TRAX train. Acacia turned 16 on Sunday, and instead of celebrating the milestone, she prepared to say her final goodbye to her cousin.
"I'm making it through. I miss her so bad. I wish she was here," Acacia said.
Everyone's going to miss her, and if I had a chance, I would bring her back in a heartbeat.
–Acacia Karr
Acacia and Shariah grew up together. As teens, the cousins were inseparable.
"The day the accident happened was the day that I felt we were truly best friends and we were both so happy," Acacia said.
Shariah's father lives in West Jordan. On June 8, the girls were walking back to his house from the store. They were looking to cross at the intersection of 8600 South and 3200 West. An east-bound train cleared the tracks, but the west-bound train hit and killed Shariah.
"I wouldn't expect this to happen to a 15 year old," said Acacia's father, Rodney Karr.
The family declined to talk about the accident, but said, the reports about the girls going around the safety arms and flashing lights aren't true.
Acacia, who jumped back in time, tried to save her cousin.
"Acacia is traumatized," said Karr. "She's amazingly strong. She saw it all."
Acacia now wears a small, silver locket containing Shariah's picture. She and Shariah's older sister, Cassie Casper, have matching bracelets. They were a gift, also given to Shariah and her mother.
"When I first found out, I feel to my knees," Cassie said. "I couldn't believe it. She was very beautiful. She was amazing. She was definitely my best friend."
People who knew Shariah said it was hard not to love her; she was outgoing, athletic and had a unique sense of humor.
"She cared for anyone, everyone," Acacia said. "She made friends easily. Everyone was drawn to her."
Acacia shared part of a poem she wrote, called "Our Angel," which she plans to read at Shariah's funeral: "The silly things we did as we adventured together is something that I will hold on to forever."
The family says they have safety concerns about this intersection but declined to elaborate. Instead, they stressed: cherish every moment with your loved ones.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
