VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — A memorial was growing in a Vancouver neighborhood a day-and-a-half after two teen boys were hit and killed while crossing the street.
The boys were hit by a vehicle and killed just before 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday when they stepped off the curb and onto NE 112th and NE 23rd streets.
Taylor T. Crepeau, 14, and Andrew A. Friedt, 17, were publicly identified Wednesday by the Clark County Medical Examiner, who ruled their deaths an accident.
Some people left birthday balloons at the site in honor of Andrew, who died a day before his 18th birthday. His friends told KOIN 6 News they attended Mountain View High School with him. Officials said Andrew was not a current student in the Vancouver district.
“Andrew, he just always lit up a smile on everyone’s face — just a really funny person,” said Andrew’s friend Elijah Torres. “It just hurts because, normally, he’s with us right now and he’s gone.”
Nate Bolton said his friend was a “fun guy, hardworking, willing to do anything for anybody; willing to give anybody his last even if he doesn’t have it.”
Taylor’s family carefully placed balloons and pictures at the spot where he and his friend lost their lives. They said he loved football and the Seattle Seahawks and left one of his favorite hats at the site.
“He was funny, he was cute. He could have been so much more if he had the chance,” said Taylor’s aunt, Veronica Crepeau.
“We all love him very much and it’s really hard,” said Taylor’s step-grandmother, Michelle Stedman, who believes Taylor was making his way to Wy’east Middle School when he was hit.
In a letter sent to families of students at Wy’east Middle School, Interim Principal Kate DeWein said they have trained counselors at the school to help anyone who needs help processing their deaths.
“These specialized counselors will remain at our school to assist us as long as we need to we work through this grieving process.
“We are also supporting the family of the student and will pass along any information they would like to share in the days ahead.”
Taylor’s family is calling on the city of Vancouver to make changes to the stretch of road where the boys were killed. There are currently no sidewalks, bike paths or crosswalks and lighting is poor.
Veronica Crepeau said the area is growing fast but officials aren’t paying enough attention to it.
“It’s horrible; it’s horrible enough that people die,” she said.