In talking with Regan Johnson's friends, we didn't get the sense that we were talking about someone who had died... It was more like we were talking about someone who was living life to the fullest.
Regan Johnson was working a summer job as a construction worker when she was struck and killed by a vehicle early Wednesday morning on Highway 99.
She also held a part-time job at the Big Creek General Store.
But her passion was for teaching.
Regan, and close friend Kaitlyn Vargas, were student teachers at Dry Creek Elementary School in Clovis.
They also studied together at Fresno State.
"Everyday from recess, I would see the kids holding hands with her on her way back to class. I mean, they adored her."
Her friends say she was meant to teach... She inspired others.
Some of what she learned came from her time at Reedley Junior College, where teachers remembered her kind heart, her outgoing personality, and her infectious smile.
Regan was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma honors society and was an honors student.
Anna Martinez taught her honors public speaking class, and was considered a mentor. "I remember her being sweet as she could possibly be. Not only was she just absolutely beautiful, but I don't think I ever heard her utter a negative word, an unkind word about anyone."
Regan's father, Bill Johnson, is Director of Court and Community Schools at the Fresno County Office of Education.
Superintendent Larry Powell released the following statement. "Our hearts are broken. Regan's loss is unfathomable. She was a shining star with such great potential and there is simply no way in our human understanding to comprehend or make sense of this tragedy. May the peace of God sustain the Johnson's and us all in the days and weeks ahead."
Kaitlyn Vargas: "She kept me going a lot of the times."
Anna Martinez: "More than anything, when I look at her, and the kind of woman she seemed to have become, I would love it if both of my little girls could grow up and be just like that."
A vigil will be held Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. to remember Regan Johnson at Memorial Park in Kingsburg.
26-year-old Alyssa Villanueva was driving the car that hit Johnson, and was arrested.
She faces charges of murder, drunk driving, hit and run, and driving without a license.
Her step-father, Antonio Rios, was arrested on obstruction charges.
TXT 24
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