JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Nearly three weeks after a 14-year old boy was killed in a car accident on a Mandarin Road, family and friends came together Saturday to honor his memory.
Last month, Garrett Schaub was a passenger in a car that was heading north at a high rate of speed and crashed into an oak tree. Two other passengers were rushed to the hospital and a fourth passenger wasn't badly hurt. Police said the fourth passenger was the only one wearing a seat belt.
Schaub's family and friends gathered Saturday night at Jacksonville Beach for a vigil in his memory.
"It's been a horrendous couple of weeks. Very much so," said Larry Schaub, Garrett's father.
Nearly three weeks after Garrett's tragic death, the grieving process has only begun for his family and friends. His family said they're taking it day by day.
"We'll get better. It will just take time," said Schaub. "We're trying to focus on the good things, not the bad things."
Jacksonville Beach is just one of those good things. The sand was peppered Saturday night with friends wearing Garrett's favorite colors: Green and blue. There were glow sticks and flowers. Others signed cards with messages about what he meant to them.
For Garrett's loved ones, the turnout was overwhelming.
"It really hit me in my heart. It's just crazy how all of these people came out here for Garrett," said Garrett's brother, Taylor Schaub. "He's looking down on us right now and just smiling. I know he can't wait to see everybody here, you know."
In his son's memory, Larry Schaub said he will advocate against drinking and driving, and riding in a car without a seat belt. He also wants to see speed bumps added to the road where Garrett died.
No matter what, Schaub said he and his family are determined to share Garrett's story and make a difference.
"You know, I can't save the whole world. I don't plan to. But there's some children in this area that I don't think will make the same mistake," said Schaub.