CALDWELL - Community members throughout Caldwell have been impacted by the sudden death of Caldwell High School senior, Shawn Heckathorn.

Heckathorn was killed when his car collided into a school bus Wednesday. The tragedy of Heckathorn's death is affecting one Caldwell mother more than the average parent.

"Unless you have been in our shoes, you don't know how we feel unless you've lost a child," said Gelinda Jakovac.

Jakovac's son, Travis, drowned in a Gem County canal in June. Travis and Shawn Heckathorn played high school sports together and were good friends that shared many laughs.

"I think that's why he and my son got along so well when my son was alive. They played football together, they did wrestling together and they were pranksters," Gelinda said.

The news of Shawn's death shook the Jakovac family, including teenage daughter, Natasha. The 15-year-old was eager to attend the Caldwell Homecoming dance with Heckathorn.

"He was a wonderful kid, Gelinda said of Shawn. "He was stepping in to being a big brother to my daughter."

Gelinda says her family is strong and will continue to hang in there, and hopes the Heckathorn's will do the same.

"It does get, I can't really say, easier but if you do your day by day things and try to keep your mind busy, it helps you [get] better," Jakovac said.