JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The parents of a teenager killed in East Arlington on Thursday, the morning after his birthday, said their son was an all-around happy guy who they’re going to miss so much.
Raiden Kelly turned 15 on Wednesday. Thursday morning, he was walking along the side of the road to his bus stop when he was struck by a Hyundai SUV, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Raiden's parents invited News4Jax into their home to talk about their son. They want to tell people what a great kid he was.
“I can't believe it. This doesn't seem real. I wish I had just one more hug. One more. I saw him that morning before he left, and that's not always the case because he leaves so early, and I am just thankful that I did get to hug him and squeeze him and tell him that I love him,” said Erica Brown, Raiden’s mother.
Raiden loved his family and volunteering, his parents said.
“He was a great kid. He just celebrated his 15th birthday on Wednesday,” said Erica Brown, “I can't believe he's gone.”
The accident happened about 6:30 a.m. on Matthew Ungar Drive near Kernan Boulevard. Police said the driver of the SUV that hit him likely couldn't see him because it was too dark.
“I don't think it was anything malicious. And I know that, from my understanding, they were there for hours,” Raiden’s mom said, adding that they heard the man even performed CPR on Raiden until paramedics arrived. “I mean, they did not have to do that.”
The couple in the SUV were having a baby and heading to a hospital for a Cesarean section.
“I can't imagine being in their position,” said Beau Brown, Raiden’s father.
The teen’s parents are staying strong and said they are thankful for the 15 years, and one morning, they had with him.
“He loved to skateboard and play basketball and fish and swim and go canoeing. But more than anything he loved just spending time with us. It was always the four of us," Erica Brown said.
They said he loved his baby sister and giving back. He volunteered on mission trips and performed with his church's citywide teen ministry, YouthQuake Live.
WATCH: Raiden performs with YouthQuake Live
YouthQuake Live gave News4Jax the following statement:
"Raiden joined our cast in August for the "Generation Tour" and his step-dad has been our audio director for over 10 years. We will miss Raiden greatly and know that his legacy will continue to inspire countless other young people to make a difference in their generation."
“He was very goofy. He had a big heart (and) a great sense of humor, definitely a corny sense of humor,” Beau Brown said.
His mom and dad believe whatever happened was part of God's plan, and they know Raiden is in a better place.
“As much as this hurts and it is killing us inside, we know that God, his plan is so much bigger than anything we could possibly understand. And we trust that He has a reason for all of this,” Erica Brown said.
Raiden's parents are still planning his funeral. They're trying to get some of his family members who live up north into town.
Anyone who would like to help can donate on the Support for Raiden's Loved Ones GoFundMe page.
Concerns about lack of lights in area of accident
The tragic accident is now bringing to light safety issues with the road where it happened. Neighbors said Matthew Ungar Drive is way too dark and dangerous. Raiden’s parents agree.
“You can't see. You can't see kids walking all the time. And we've said it before. Raiden wasn't a little kid. He was responsible. He wasn't walking in the middle of the road. He was walking right along the edge,” his mom said.
The Browns said Raiden was probably walking along the road, and not on the sidewalk, because the ground was muddy and he had just gotten new shoes for his birthday. But they did said he was wearing a black shirt and black pants.
The East Arlington neighborhood is having a hard time dealing with the boy's death, as well.
"You couldn't want a better child for a son. Very nice young man," Amess Johnson said. "They are a beautiful, Christian family. Beautiful. Very pleasant."
Neighbors said it was only a matter of time before such a tragedy happened.
“Basically the kids are walking in the street every morning, and its pitch black out. The reason they’re walking in the street is because the other teenagers that come through here and root up the area with their trucks and ATV, so these kids have to walk through ankle-deep mud to even get to the sidewalk,” said neighbor Justin, who declined to give his last name.
Residents in the area told News4Jax that they're concerned that there are no lights in the area and that they have been asking the city to add some for years.
"Why didn't somebody listen? Our hearts are breaking for this family. I hear they have a newborn baby, also. Some of the neighbors just told me that. He lives right here in the neighborhood. It's just, 15 years old is so young. I have a lump (in my throat) and I don't even know the child. Something has to be done here," Elaine Anwander said.
Gil Smith, News4Jax crime and safety analyst, said there's a half-mile stretch with no lights on either side of the street. He said it's a good idea for parents to make sure their children are safe when walking.
"Parents need to walk that route with their kids to make sure they're taking a safe route. We're in April now, they may assume everything is OK, there have been no problems. But with (daylight saving time), it's darker. So take that path with them again," Smith said.
The city and JEA are looking into whether the section of road is safe.
“There’s certain limits to liability and a certain immunity that the city of Jacksonville and JEA will have, but if they were aware that there were lighting issues at this location and still they were not taking the proper steps, then they could potentially have liability,” attorney Gene Nichols said.
Neighbors told News4Jax that they saw JEA trucks on the road Friday morning and hope something will be done soon.