Pauls Valley Family Remembers 14-Year-Old Who Was Hit, Killed By Train

A 14-year-old was killed Tuesday evening after being struck by a train.

Related: 14-Year-Old Identified After Being Hit, Killed By Train In Pauls Valley

News 9 spoke with the mom, Krissi Heath, of the 14-year-old that was struck by the train Tuesday. She said Dominic Agoston-Heath was her savior, and he had a heart of gold. 

She said her family will remember him as always being a gentle giant.

Family members describe Dominic as a young loving kid gone too soon.

“So now we deal with it second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, month by month, year by year,” Charles Heath, Dominic’s step dad, said.

This is the first day they’re waking up knowing he’s gone, wishing it was all a nightmare. 

“He was walking southbound along the edge of the railroad tracks, a northbound train struck him. He was transported from the scene by Mercy EMS. He was taken to Pauls Valley hospital where he was pronounced dead,” Pauls Valley Police Chief Derrick Jolley said.

His mom told News 9 that he was walking home from school. He was a student athlete who the team could always rely on. 

“His coach said he was going to be a power hitter. He loved lifting weights for baseball. He never missed a practice,” Krissi Heath said.

“He always wanted everyone to laugh. Just happy doing silly things making silly faces,” Jenny Jones, Dominic’s step mom, said. “He was just goofy like all the time he wanted everybody to be happy.”

His positive spirit was contagious. It lit up a room. His stepdad said it even changed his life for the better.

“If it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t be breathing today. I probably wouldn’t be alive. I would probably be dead or in prison. I mean he changed my life,” Heath said.

He also had big dreams for his family. He wanted to start a career in graphic design to help him build a brighter future for everyone he loved.

“You just feel a piece of you is just gone. You feel lost, empty. He had a long life ahead of him; it was just one of those freak accidents you can’t control,” Veronica Kirksey said.

Dominic’s mom said he was known for giving the best hugs. She said she could really use one right now.

“He was very much loved, and he had the most amazing heart. He was the most amazing son a mom could ever have,” Krissi Heath said. “He was my rock.”