KIRKWOOD, Mo. (KMOX) -  A memorial fund has now been set up for the family of Cameron Vennard, the 14-year-old Kirkwood boy who was struck and killed by a train Wednesday.

“Cam was an amazing child at the age of fourteen,” Vennard family friend Donna Eisenberg told guest host John Hancock on Friday’s Charlie Brennan Show. “He was wise beyond his years, his heart and his smile were equally big.”

Cameron was wearing earbuds as he walked along the railroad tracks, as he’d done many times before, when he was struck and killed by a westbound train.

The engineer “leaned on” the horn, according to authorities, but wasn’t able to stop the train in time.

Cameron was the son of Darryl Vennard, whom Eisenberg revealed may only be alive today because of his son’s quick thinking and actions following a car wreck a couple of years ago.

“(Darryl’s) alive because of Cameron…it’s kind of ironic,” Eisenberg explained. “They were in the middle of the country, Darryl would have bled to death.”

Donations can be made to:

Cameron Vennard Memorial Fund at any Frontenac Bank (w/ locations in Kirkwood, St. Charles, Frontenac and Earth City).

Checks should be made payable to: Cameron Vennard Memorial Fund.