Northern California teen Mateus Moore was struck and killed by a freight train on Friday after pushing his girlfriend out of the way of the oncoming train.
According to The Associated Press, Mateus and his girlfriend, Mickayla Friend, both 16, were on their way to a high school dance in Marysville when the incident occurred.
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Mickayla was critically injured, though her mother said Sunday that she was breathing on her own and walking, the AP reported.
According to KXTV, Mickayla remained in the hospital in serious condition on Monday with numerous broken bones and internal injuries.
"My daughter wouldn't be here if it weren't for Mateus," said Mickayla’s mother Sandy Friend, KXTV reported. "My heart is so heavy. Mateus was amazing. Everything I would want for my daughter to have for her life, such an amazing man to love her and take care of her."
Mateus' father Marcus Moore said he hopes changes can be made to prevent easy access to the train tracks near the teens' school.
"We should all be concerned and all be looking for a way to make our schools a little more safe,"
Moore told the Appeal-Democrat. "Our kids don't need to be statistics."
More than 400 people attended a candlelight vigil for Mateus on Sunday in Maryville.
Police are investigating whether the teens were distracted, the AP reported.
Many took to Twitter in support of Mateus.
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