DENVER -- What happened in the few seconds before an empty coal train slammed into a car driven by a Castle Rock teenager?

Vinny Veruchi told 7NEWS Wednesday about his split-second decision as he tried to get his girlfriend out of the way of the train.

Maureen Martin was still in critical condition at Swedish Medical Center Wednesday following the accident Tuesday morning.

The 16-year-old cheerleader from Douglas County High School was in her car when it stalled on the railroad tracks and was hit by the train. Vinny Veruchi, 17 (pictured, left), was directly behind Martin in his pickup truck. He said he had tried his best to push her out of harm's way.

"It was just a desperate measure, it was just an instinct, I had to do something, I couldn't, I just love her so much. We've been together for two years now, I love her so much, there's no way I could have just stood there, just no way," Veruchi told 7NEWS.

He said Maureen's car was directly centered on the train tracks yesterday putting her directly in the train's path when he pushed her car with his pickup truck. He said he actually moved her farther out of the way and the train hit the back end of her car spinning her around and into a concrete barrier.

Vinny didn't leave Martin's side at Swedish Medical Center until 1 a.m. Wednesday. And on Wednesday afternoon he and his family were back again to hold vigil with Maureen's family. Everyone's first concern, obviously, is her recovery.

Vinny told 7NEWS that Martin is in a coma but he could feel her trying to squeeze his hand while he was reassuring her that she's going to be okay and he will always be with her.

Martins' family issued a statement through Swedish Hospital Wednesday evening:

"We want to sincerely thank the Castle Rock Fire Department, Castle Rock Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Swedish Medical Center for their time, efforts and expertise. Likewise, we are extremely grateful for the support we have received from countless friends and family members, as well as the Douglas County High School family and the community at large.

We especially want to thank Vinny Veruchi, Maureen's boyfriend, for the love he has shown our daughter and for putting his own life at risk to save hers.

In response to this tragedy, we urge the individuals who are in positions to enact change to immediately review the location of the railroad tracks where the accident occurred and the speeds of the trains going through town at that location so that something like this does not happen again to anyone else's loved one."

Vinny said he takes great comfort in the fact that he is being called a hero who tried his very best to help.