Jordan High School senior Tyreic Hemphill was a counselor with the Emily K Center and had aspirations of one day studying engineering at Howard University.
"He was just that kid," said Doreen Hemphill, Tyreic's mother. "He was just that kid that every mom would want to have."
Doreen has left Tyreic's bedroom the same since the day six months ago that she got a call no parent wants to receive.
"They was like, 'Is Tyreic Hemphill your son? He got into accident can you come to the hospital,'" said Doreen.
The Durham 16 year old died last September when police said he lost control of his car and collided with an oncoming vehicle on N.C. Highway 55.
"He was lovable. He was kind. He was honest," said Doreen. "He lit up the room when he came in with his smile."
The tragedy spawned vigils across the Bull City underscoring Tyreic's influence. Now, his mom is harnessing that influence to help others.
"Let's start a scholarship fund for him to pay it forward and give it to someone else so that they can go to school," said Doreen.
A 5k scholarship walk in Tyreic's honor is next month. Right now, his family is selling buttons and relishing in what he might think of the idea.
"He'd still be honored though," said Doreen. "He'd be like, 'Wow. Mommy you always doing something,' and he'd just (say), 'Go ahead and do it. Do it.'"
The scholarship walk will be April 19 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Duke Al Beuhler Trail on Cameron Boulevard in Durham.
Click here for more information on the 5K walk.
Click here for more information about the scholarship fund.
See It On TV | Report A Typo |
Send Tip |
Get Alerts | Send us photos
Follow @abc11 on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook
