John R. Nelson was new to campus -- but in his short time at University Park, friends and family said he made quite an impact.

The 20-year-old Penn State sophomore from Pittsburgh was a volunteer field team leader for the Centre County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team and an Eagle Scout. He was a Master Sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol, having logged enough hours of flight time to fly solo. He was vice president of the Penn State Rifle Club and led its competitive team to the championships this year.

"In some ways, he must have known he would have a short life because he lived it to the fullest," Nelson's mother, Elizabeth Nelson, said.

John Nelson's life was tragically cut short when his Ford Explorer slid off a road west of Julian and crashed into a tree at about 9 a.m. Saturday.

Anya Ryba, Nelson's girlfriend of about three years, said he had spent Friday night at her house in Julian and was on his way back to State College on Saturday morning.

"He really enjoyed life," Ryba said. "He was very active, a good leader in everything he did."

Elizabeth Nelson said the word she would use to describe her son would be "humanitarian."

"He was my life, and now I'm determined to remind people that there are good people in the world, and we just have to love them a little bit more when they're with us," she said.

Jason Allshouse, Rifle Club president, said Nelson transferred to University Park last year from Penn State Altoona College, where he was on the hockey team. He was involved in several activities, but the Search and Rescue team was his greatest passion, Allshouse said.

"He was a real easygoing guy. He'd do anything for anybody," Allshouse said.

Elizabeth Nelson echoed Allshouse's sentiments, saying that her son was an avid outdoorsman. John Nelson was a forestry major and was training his dog, Lexi, to be a search dog, she said.

"I'm glad I knew him for 20 years. I'm glad I had him for 20 years. He leaves behind a circle of aunts and uncles that are just unbelievably heart broken," Elizabeth Nelson said. "And the world's a little diminished because he's no longer here."

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers reported that Nelson died from a closed head injury. His death was accidental, and he was wearing his seatbelt, Sayers reported.

According to a Pennsylvania State Police report, Nelson was traveling on Beaver Road, about 14 miles outside of State College, when he first swerved into the right shoulder. He then veered left toward the double yellow line, then back to the right of the road again. For an unknown reason, Nelson was "not in control" of his vehicle, according to the police report.

When Nelson began to steer to the right shoulder, his sport utility vehicle's back wheels slid and the vehicle spun clockwise, hitting a tree on the driver's side door, according to the report.