Friends, Family Remember Teen Killed In Hit & Run
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4) – Friends and family remembered and honored a Wheat Ridge teenager killed in a hit and run on Friday.
Eighteen-year-old Jordan Sprouse was driving to a friend's house when he was hit.
The accident happened Friday night near 32nd Avenue and Kipling Street in Wheat Ridge and the driver ran away from the scene.
Police arrested Alton Kirkland, 23, a short time later in Lakewood. He is facing vehicular homicide charges.
Dozens watched in silence on Friday as a memorial for Sprouse was built.
His father, Jaime Sprouse, surrounded by family and friends stood at the intersection where the accident happened to honor his son's memory.
Jaime says everyone should know who his son was and the life he had planned before it was taken so suddenly.
"I'm so proud of him. We had something like six conversations yesterday, in fact, and he was dead set on joining the service. He hadn't decided which one but he felt like that was a good course for his life right now," said Jaimie.
"Just to arrive at that decision and to know that he was at that crossroads that teenagers get to makes this just that much more devastating."
Among the people holding candles huddled together around the growing memorial was Jordan's younger sister Morgan.
"I haven't slept since last night. I didn't want to let go of his hand. It was the hardest thing I've had to do," said Morgan.
Despite having a piece of their family ripped from them by a careless driver, Jaime Sprouse says he taught his son to forgive and said that he too has forgiveness in his heart.
"Why a person would make a decision like that I don't know. Being angry at him doesn't bring my son back," said Jaime.
Jaimie also said that he believes in the court system and that it will bring his family justice.
RELATED: Mother Of Fatal Hit & Run Victim Says Son Had A 'Great Heart'
