Durham family grieves 9-year-old killed while riding bike: 'I screamed for him to come back'
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Durham mother is grieving the loss of her 9-year-old son after he was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bicycle near the family's home Sunday afternoon.
Keegan Brooks, a fourth grader at Oak Grove Elementary School, had left home to ride bikes with a friend before baseball practice, according to his mother, Courtney Brooks.
"I was like, 'All right, be careful. We're getting ready to go to baseball practice,'" Brooks recalled. "And I said, 'We're getting ready to go. I'll see you in a little bit.' And he's like, 'All right, I'll see you a little bit.' And that was it."
Brooks said her son's friend "came running up the street and screaming in the house" that the young boy was hit by a vehicle.
I keep expecting him to just run down the stairs and be like, 'Hey. Just kidding. Fooled you! But I haven't woken up yet.- Courtney Brooks, mother
Durham police said the crash happened shortly before 12:45 p.m. near Knightwood Drive and Bengel Drive. When her son's friend alerted her of the incident, Brooks said she ran down the street to where the crash happened. When she arrived, she said there was nothing she could do.
"He was just laying there," Brooks said through tears. "I screamed for him to come back. There's nothing I could have done."
The day after the crash, family members gathered at the home to remember a boy they described as loving, funny, and full of personality.
"He was one of a kind. For sure," Brooks said.
His sister, Alexis Baker, said she will remember the joy he brought to the family.
"Him barreling down those stairs talking to me and my husband saying, 'What's up, sissy! What's up, TT!' Just being the jokester that he is," Alexis said
Brooks said Keegan remained a "momma's boy" despite getting older.
"Nine years old and he's still a momma's boy," she said. "(he) wanted to be tucked in every night and then come snuggle with me in the morning."
The grieving mother said she is still struggling to process what happened.
"I keep expecting him to just run down the stairs and be like, 'Hey. Just kidding. Fooled you!'" Brooks said. "But I haven't woken up yet."
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Oak Grove Elementary School notified families of Keegan's death and described him as "a wonderful member of the Oak Grove school community."
The school said counselors from Durham Public Schools' Student Support Services team would be available to help students cope with the loss.
Alexis said the family is leaning on memories as they navigate the days ahead.
"He might not physically be with us, but emotionally and spiritually he's with us when we keep those memories alive," she said.
For now, Brooks hopes other parents take time to cherish their children.
"Hug your babies," she said. "Love them."
Durham police said the driver remained at the scene. No charges have been filed, and the investigation remains ongoing.
