Classmates remember teen who died after being hit while riding his bike: 'He was very funny'
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (WTVD) -- Sunday was a heartbreaking day for the family of a 14-year-old and the Wake County community after a teenager died when he was hit while riding his bike early Sunday morning.
The principal of Holly Springs High School sent a letter to parents and students informing them that the victim was 9th-grade freshman Max Dunham.
Max's father tells ABC11 he lost his wife a few months ago to cancer and now has to deal with losing his son.
Monday, ABC11 spoke with some of Max's friends who came to the spot where he was killed.
"I was distraught and I didn't know what to do," 9th grader Brice Boylan said after he learned that Max had died.
He added, "He was very funny. He was a good person to hang out with and to vibe with."
Max's friend Sam Cruz took aim at the 16-year-old, Ashton H. Rahlfs, the driver charged with DWI in a separate crash near the spot where Max died.
"You know, you're 16, you have a whole life ahead of you, and you're choosing to drink."
Lynwood Montague lives near the crash and tells ABC11 he called 911 after the collision. Montague says he did not see the accident.
"I was up around 1:30 a.m. watching TV, and when all of a sudden I heard this loud crash. I got up, went outside and was looking around, and all of a sudden I heard the worst screaming I have ever heard and moaning. And I just knew it was bad."
After learning Max died, Montague said, "It just gets worse. I just can't imagine what the families are going through."
The school's principal said in an email Sunday night, they will have grief resources and staff available to support students dealing with Max's loss.
What we know about the crash
The crash occurred around 1:40 a.m. on Avent Ferry Road near Holly Meadow Drive and involved a head-on collision between the driver of a Honda Civic and a driver in a Honda Passport. Before that collision, police say one of the drivers hit the teen who was riding a bicycle.
Police have not said which driver hit Dunham.
According to police, 16-year-old Ashton H. Rahlfs, who was driving the Passport, is facing a DWI charge.
Anyone with any information regarding the crash or the events leading up to it, is requested to contact the Traffic Investigations and Enforcement Unit at 919-577-3110.
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