JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville family is preparing to lay a 14-year-old boy to rest after he was killed in a minibike crash last week in La Villa.
Marquel Kearse Jr.’s father Marquel Kearse Sr. said they're taking it one step at a time, relying on God and faith to get through the difficult time.
He remembers his oldest son and namesake as a happy kid who loved adventure, sports and spending time with his siblings.
Kearse, Sr. recalls waking up to a phone call from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office about his son Thursday, Dec. 7.
Homicide detectives asked for details about Marquel, Jr. who died after being thrown from a minibike with a 13-year-old friend on S. Myrtle Ave.
Eventually, they broke the news that he'd died at the hospital.
"When I heard that, I just blacked out,” he said. “All I remember is just waking up inside the house, just crying, just eyes bloodshot red, just can't believe it. Like I still can't believe it to this day."
JSO said the vehicle was not street legal and that the teens crashed into a dump truck that was slowing to make a turn.
Kearse, Sr. said he thought Marquel, Jr. was in school that afternoon.
"I could try to keep my kids in the house all they want, but they're growing boys,” he said. “Boys love to be in action, and Marquel, Jr. is very active, very energetic. If I had him sitting in the house all day every day, he'd just be like a Tasmanian devil."
The seventh grader attended Lake Shore Middle School.
His father describes him as a daredevil who respected everyone.
"He loved his dirt bikes,” he said. “He loved sports, basketball, but Marquel, Jr. was the type of kid that he loved to see his other brothers and sisters happy, so as long it made them happy. He was just happy all the way around."
Kearse, Sr. said they're leaning on God to get through planning a funeral for a teenager.
"God, he has us, he has the family. We're all in this together, so we're holding each other's hands, taking it a step at a time."
He wishes he could tell him he loves him one more time.
"Love on your loved ones,” he said. “Everyday tell them you love them, every day because you never know when the last time you're going to have a chance to talk to them."
Kearse Sr. said he’s grateful his son’s friend survived the wreck.
Marquel Jr.’s wake was Friday, and his funeral is Saturday. His family is fundraising to pay for those expenses.