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San Jose School Mourns Sudden Death Of Musically-Gifted Student

SAN JOSE (KCBS)— A San Jose high school was in mourning following the sudden death of a talented, teenage musician that many described as a rising star. A vigil was being held in his honor Thursday.

Donae James Johnican was hit and killed by a Caltrain on the tracks in San Jose on Tuesday. By all accounts the 16-year-old was a talented guitarist who had been taken in by the power of music.

Last month the Lincoln High School junior received an award from Silicon Valley De-Bug - a multimedia platform for youth, immigrants and low-wage communities - for writing a song about teens who have trouble getting through high school.

San Jose High School Mourns Sudden Death Of Musically Gifted Classmate

"They always talk about how many kids don't graduate and how the kids have to work harder. It's not always the kids fault. There are other factors that make it so that they don't cross the stage," Johnican said in a video recording last month.

Sadly, Donae will not cross the stage himself.

The medical examiner has ruled his death an accident, although why he was on the tracks is still under investigation.

The vigil will be at the offices of Silicon Valley De-Bug.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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