NAMPA, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
The parents were high school sweethearts. Their children were loving siblings, 11-year-old Ryder the protector of his big sister, Kayden, despite their six-year age gap. The family of four got the most joy from spending their time together, reveling in Idaho's outdoor pursuits.
They perished suddenly and unexpectedly Saturday morning, when their truck was hit by a train, on their way out of town to go hunting.
Benjamin Maupin, 38; Kapri Maupin, 35; Kayden Maupin, 17; and Ryder Maupin, 11, were identified Tuesday by the Canyon County coroner's office as the individuals who died in the accident at around 8:20 a.m. Saturday. The Chevrolet Silverado being driven by Benjamin attempted to cross a railroad crossing along a private road and didn't yield to an oncoming train, according to the coroner's office and Idaho State Police. The crash occurred near Highway 20 in Canyon County, near Notus.
"They mostly just liked being together," said Monique Reed, whose uncle was Benjamin, aunt was Kapri and cousins were Kayden and Ryder.
The Nampa family is well-known in the community, Reed said; Ben and Kapri owned Mint Barrel Barn Event Center on McMillan Road, and Kapri's father owns Superior Construction, located just a few miles east on McMillan. It was there that Ben and Kayden worked as mechanics and Ryder, who Reed described as a 30-year-old in an 11-year-old's body, "was floating around wherever he was, usually at the shop welding."
Social media posts announcing the news have garnered hundreds of reactions, shares and comments of sadness and support. Around 500 people are expected to attend the family's upcoming celebration of life.
It will be held at Mint Barrel Barn, a symbolic locale given its history. Kapri's family owned the property "years and years ago," Reed said, and would use it to host family parties. In recent years, Ben and Kapri purchased a home on the property and poured their time into renovating the barn, bringing it up to code and opening it as a public venue for myriad gatherings: weddings, reunions, birthday parties, celebrations of life.
"We're definitely gonna party for them," Reed said, "and celebrate the barn they worked so hard on."
The barn will continue to host events in spite of the circumstances, according to the business's website.
"Our hearts are forever broken and we will never be the same, but we will be continuing with all scheduled events, tours, and future events, just as Kapri and her family would want," a note on the website reads.
The Maupins were "very, very outdoorsy," Reed said, making regular trips to go hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and dirt biking. "They were always together and always doing something outdoors."
Ben and Kapri were "the epitome of gracious and kind," said Amy Werhane, owner of Finishing Touches Weddings & Events. Werhane recalled planning a wedding at Mint Barrel Barn, with Kapri's help, even though Kapri had recently undergone foot surgery.
"She didn't care. She was going to work anyways and make sure that my client's day went off without a hitch," Werhane said. "She was a fantastic mother, fantastic wife."
Reed, 24, was closest in age to Kayden, and developed a kinship with her over outings of roller blading, ax throwing and smashing old items in rage rooms. Ryder "was the one sticking up for Kayden" and, when he wasn't tagging along with his sister and cousin, would be "doing Idaho boy stuff" and carrying the social weight at parties and gatherings.
"At parties and stuff, Kayden was in the corner, usually with me, and Ryder was out mingling with all the drunk adults," Reed said.
"They loved each other so much."
In Tuesday's news release, the coroner's office said the family's death "has cast a somber shadow over the region, prompting an outpouring of condolences and support from the community."
“This event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to traffic regulations and exercising caution when navigating railway crossings,” Canyon County Coroner Jennifer Crawford said in the release. “Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking loss.”
The family is still determining an organization people can donate to in lieu of sending flowers.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.