The family of Marquel Kearse, Jr. said his funeral is Saturday.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The family of a 14-year-old killed in a crash last week in Jacksonville has identified him as Marquel Kearse, Jr.
His father, Marquel Kearse, Sr., told First Coast News his funeral is on Saturday, and they’re fundraising to help pay for costs. So far, they’ve raised a little over $1500.
Kearse died after running into a dump truck while riding a minibike in the La Villa area on S. Myrtle St. on Thursday.
According to Sgt. Hungerford from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the truck was slowing down to turn right onto Harper St. Several witnesses recounted the event to police.
“As the dump truck slowed down, the people in the minivan advised that two young men, teenagers, sped by on the right hand side on a minibike, either on the shoulder or on the sidewalk, actually both, and collided with the passenger side of that dump truck,” Hungerford said.
A 13-year-old driving the bike went to the hospital with minor injuries. Both teens were thrown from the vehicle before it ended up under the truck.
Hungerford said the bike was not street legal and didn’t have any of the required features like taillights, turn signals or headlights.
Authorities said there was no indication the driver was impaired, calling it a “tragic accident.” They don’t expect any charges against him.
