Vigil held for teen hit by car in Wendell one year ago
WENDELL, N.C. (WTVD) -- There was a vigil Wednesday night to mark one year since 13-year old Keith Jones, Jr. was hit by a car and killed at his bus stop.
"The tears seem like they're endless," said D. Marie Jones, Keith's mother.
Jones and her husband, Keith Jones, Sr., call their son K.J. and say this last year has been hard.
"It's been so tough, but the love and support that I have received from the community and the prayers has made it bearable, just bearable," said D. Marie Jones.
One year ago from Wednesday, K.J. was standing at his school bus stop at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday. The stop was right in front of his house on Edgemont Road near Wendell. State troopers said he was waiting for the bus to take him to Wendell Middle School. Instead, he was hit by a car. The driver did not stop so it was K.J.'s father who found him lying face down in a ditch.
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A day later, state troopers arrested Efren Vences of Clayton and charged him misdemeanor death by a motor vehicle, felony hit-and-run, and having no operator's license. Vences told authorities and our cameras that he had no idea he had hit a little boy and would do everything to cooperate with investigators.
K.J.'s family held the vigil in the very spot where they lost him. Standing with his family were his old teammates on the Knightdale Dragons. K.J. loved football and one day hoped to be captain of his team. While that won't happen for K.J., it could happen for someone else in his memory. His family started a foundation in his name. They call it the Keith Jones Athletic Memorial Fund.
The foundation works to sponsor a child who wants to play sports and it already has a child for this year who will play in honor of K.J.
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It's just one way the Jones family wants to honor their son and give back to a community that has stood by them all this time.
"I know it's in my heart and it will be in my heart forever. I'm thinking other people will just go on, but I am so surprised and pleased to know that they're right there with me."
K.J. would have turned 14 in June, but the day did not go without celebration. His mom said they hosted a big party with all his friends and they're also planning a K.J.-Bowl this fall.
