Mother of Crash Victim Speaks Out

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- John Kiely's mother spoke with First Coast News today. As you might imagine, it has been a nightmarish week for her and her family.

She is doing her best to find things to be grateful for in all of this; the kindness of a particular highway patrol officer, and the memories of a son who she says was always looking out for others.

"I would have to say how goofy he was, how funny. He was always trying to make someone feel better," says Kristine Kiely.

She still can't believe that the memories are all she has left. The last five days since her 15-year-old son and his two friends were killed in a crash on I-295, she's been doing her best just to make it day to day.

"Very hectic, emotional, extremely emotional. I think I am still in a little bit of shock and denial over all of this," she says.

Kristine says she is trying to stay strong for her other two children who she says are struggling.

"I am just doing a lot of praying that the Lord gives them some peace about this," she says.

Peace is hard to come by for Kristine as well, but she says the actions of one Florida state trooper on the scene of the crash give her some comfort.

"I don't know who she was but I want to personally thank her because she was just so sweet. She said she was actually there, on the scene and she had held him. Of course he was dead on the scene but she had held him. I know it sounds silly but it's like there was a little bond."

Kristine has printed up 200 pictures of her son John. She wants other children at the funeral for her son to have them. Not just as a memory but as a reminder that a simple decision, in this case to skip school and head to the beach with an underage driver can be the difference between life and death.

"If it takes just looking at that thinking hey maybe I shouldn't do that you know. Look at that little choice he made and he's gone."

Kristine has been told if she can't pay the funeral home $8,000 by Friday, her son will have to be cremated.

A fund has been set up in John's name for expenses. You can make a donation to any VyStar Credit Union under John's name. The account number is 2065790.

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