A mother of seven tragically lost her life after being struck by a train during her morning run in Arizona. Her family believes that she was in her own world, recording herself while wearing noise-cancelling headphones.
Thelma Candelaria, 47, had begun capturing her morning runs around Eloy as part of a new health commitment, which coincided with a recent baptism. Her family shared this information with local news outlet KTVK.
In her final video posted early Thursday, she informed her Instagram followers that she was serious about running, flashing a peace sign and giving a thumbs up.
While she was running and filming, a train blew its horn, but she was apparently unaware, as another train came from the opposite direction and struck her.
According to her daughter, Alaisha Candelaria, she was wearing pink noise-cancelling headphones and lost in the moment, even singing along to a favorite song by Jessie Reyez.
“She was in her own world. She was singing, she was happy,” Alaisha recalled, describing her mother as an angel.
Despite the warning horn from the train, Candelaria was not conscious of the impending danger.
She was reported missing after not returning home and was later found deceased at the scene.
Her friends mentioned that she had recently embraced her faith, just days prior to her death. One friend, Amber Sherban, expressed her sorrow in a GoFundMe campaign saying, “Thelma gave her life to Jesus Christ and was baptized.”
She also highlighted the joy of witnessing Candelaria’s baptism, sharing that her social media posts afterward radiated with positivity and love for God. It’s heart-wrenching to think of her children navigating life without their mother, she added.
The incident is still under investigation, and the official cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
