Family and friends are mourning the loss of A.J. Wakeling who succumbed to his injuries after being hit by a truck.
The 13-year-old Dunsmuir middle school student died in hospital just after 8 p.m., Oct. 25, just two days after being struck by a pickup truck near Slegg Lumber on Sooke Road, on Oct. 23.
Wakeling is survived by his mother and three brothers, including his twin. The family was struggling before this tragic event and friends say the single mother needs the help of the community.
"The focus now is on cash," said Jean-Paul Thuot, a family friend, citing Wakeling's mother is missing time from work and needs to still cover rent, bills and now funeral expenses.
Thuot's 14-year-old son Sebastian was close friends with Wakeling.
"He stayed over the night at my house many times. He was a very popular kid who was friendly and funny," Thuot said adding Wakeling's three brothers were always welcome at his home too.
"These are great kids and it's not been an easy life for them," Thuot said. "As teenagers go, those kids look you in the eye when they talk to you."
Thuot is collecting donations for family though his business Stillpoint Community Acupuncture, 102-3212 Jacklin Rd.
"When tragedy befalls on members of our community we need to step up and do whatever we can," Thuot said.
Donations can also be made through any VanCity Credit Union "AJ Legacy Fund."
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
No charges laid
West Shore RCMP Sgt. Max Fossum said there will be no charges laid in relation to the incident. Fossum said the 13-year-old boy's dark clothing, combined with where he crossed the road made it impossible for the driver to see him. Neither speed nor alcohol are believed to be a factor in the crash.
"There's no way you would have seen the pedestrian, it would have been almost impossible," Fossum said.
On Tuesday RCMP and Langford Fire Rescue attended the call at 7 p.m. and the boy, with serious injuries, was taken to hospital by Emergency Health Services.
Sooke Road was closed for about three hours while RCMP investigated. Traffic was detoured through Luxton and Humpback roads.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
