FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. – The parents of a Fleming Island man who was killed while crossing the street Aug. 2 spoke to News4Jax about their son's sudden death.
Kyle Klocek, 23, was walking home and crossing Bald Eagle Road at Lake Terrace Lane with his friend's skateboard in hand when a speeding motorcycle hit and killed him.
Kelly and Mike Klocek said their only child (pictured below) was the best part of both of them.
"He was so funny. He was a very, very loyal friend," Kelly Klocek said. "If Kyle was your friend, he would do anything for you."
Troopers said the motorcyclist, 27-year-old Arthur Zimmerly, was going about 80 mph in a 30 mph zone and that his blood alcohol level was just over the legal limit.
Deputies arrested Zimmerly last week, charging him with DUI manslaughter.
Zimmerly's driving record includes 27 citations in the past decade, including four speeding tickets, three for careless driving, two for reckless driving -- which is more serious than careless -- and another DUI in Duval County. On one of the speeding tickets, Zimmerly (pictured below left) was driving 135 mph in a 70 mph zone.
Local attorney Gene Nichols said it's likely that Zimmerly's citations came two or three at a time. He said the reckless driving citations are criminal offenses, which means a court can suspend the driver's license. But Nichols said it's up to the court to decide whether to do that. He said even if a license is suspended, it's often for a short time.
"Most suspensions will last for 30 days, six months, at most a year when it comes to any sort of criminal infraction," Nichols said. "So he may have received suspensions and got reinstated."
The accident happened at 1 a.m. and Kyle and his family were supposed to leave for a family vacation later that day.
"I (had) just talked to him and he was coming home, and five minutes later your life is completely turned around. So it shouldn't have happened," Kelly Klocek said.
Kyle Klocek's parents said he had a huge heart and a good spirit. He was working on a four-year college degree and had just started a new job at Florida Blue, where his mother works.
"He was really excited about the future," Kelly Klocek said.
"We were hoping one day to see him get married and have kids and have his own family, and that's never going to happen," said Mike Klocek. "This is the worst pain I have ever felt in my life."
Mike Klocek, whom Kyle called "Pops," said his son was his pal. He said he visits his grave almost every day.
"If I don't go in a couple days, I feel bad. I told him I would never leave him," Mike Klocek said.
Seven months after the accident, Kyle's parents, who called their son their world, still have a long road ahead of them.
"It's excruciating, it really is. I expect him to just walk in the door and make us laugh," Kelly Klocek said. "Our house is definitely not the same. Nothing will ever be the same. We miss him. We miss him every minute."
News4Jax spoke twice to Zimmerly and his attorney on the phone. They declined the opportunity to be interviewed because it's a pending case.