(U-WIRE) SWARTHMORE, Pa. ÷ Eric Johnson, a rising senior at Swarthmore College, was killed Aug. 20 when he was struck by a train in Andover, Mass. Johnson suddenly stepped out onto the tracks as the 3:04 p.m. train was nearing the Andover station. The engineer saw him standing on the tracks, but could not stop the train in time.

Paul Wulfsberg, one of Johnson's close friends, said Johnson had gone to work that morning as usual. He drove an ice cream truck as his summer job and had requested the afternoon off that Tuesday. A few minutes before 3 p.m., Johnson parked the truck on the side of the tracks and locked up all the money as though he was closing up for the day. Then he stepped out in front of the speeding train.

Johnson's memorial service was held on Aug. 25, just 12 days after his 21st birthday. He was cremated, and his service was held outdoors at Glen Magna Farms in Danvers, Mass., not far from his hometown of Boxford.

According to Wulfsberg, the service was well attended, with family and high school friends making up the majority of the crowd. About 12 Swarthmore students were able to attend, and appreciated having the chance to grieve together.

"It was really helpful that we made it to the memorial service," Wulfsberg said. "It forced us to take a big step and acknowledge what had happened."