Monday marks one week since a car crash two miles from Oakleaf High School claimed the life of 16-year-old student Keondre Moss. The crash also sent two other teens to the hospital.
Sunday night, classmates, friends and loved ones met at the scene of the crash in tribute to the victims. More than 100 people gathered and lit candles and prayed.
“I don’t even know the words to say … just thank y’all," Stephanie Elder, mother of crash victim Taj Richey, said. "I can’t even thank y’all enough for the support and the love and the prayers. Just continue to do that. A lot of people’s lives have been changed forever.”
Richey and Brian Ransom were in the car with Moss, and are recovering from their injuries. According to Elder, her son had to have one leg amputated. She said he has to have another surgery on the other leg in the upcoming days.
“I know that Keondre is in a better place," Elder said. "That’s what keeps me going, and I know my son is going to be a testimony for a lot of children. He’s going to touch a lot of children.”
Richey is still in the hospital, but Ransom was able to make it to the vigil.
“He was able to get up out of the wheelchair and walk and that was amazing,” Elder said.
Although her son couldn’t be there, Elder said he had a message for those who were at the vigil. He also had a message for Moss’s family, assuring them they’d take care of Moss’s niece.
“He said, ‘When you saw Keondre, you saw me. When you saw me you saw Keondre. He was my best friend,’" Elder recalled. "He said he’d be Carter’s uncle going forward and she’s going to know who Keondre was.”
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According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, witnesses said the car the teens were in was going fast and may have been racing two other cars before it hit a tree. Elder said she was sad to see people speeding on the same road Sunday night.
“You’d think with a traumatic experience like this, people would slow down,” she said.
“Slow down, guys," Elder said. "You can’t bring back a life. Once you’re gone, you’re gone. It’s not worth it. Cars aren’t toys. If you don’t drive them correctly, they can be deadly.”
Elder said all three families have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community.
“You guys are just wonderful," she said. "It’s amazing. There are no words to say how much support all of these families are receiving from the community of Oakleaf.”
JSO is still investigating the crash.