OXFORD, Ohio — "It was the worst news ever," Kelly Baker said. "I wanted it to be a lie."
Baker's son, 15-year-old Bryce Hizer, was killed Monday when the driver of a red 2000 Pontiac lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway in rural Franklin County, Indiana. The car rolled several times and came to rest against some trees. Four other teens in the car were seriously injured.
Next week, when Talawanda students return to school, grief counselors will be on hand to help students process the incident.
"I think it's good they are doing that for other kids," Baker said. "I don't know if any help is going to help me because nothing is going to bring my baby back."
Baker said her son was courageous and outgoing and that he refused to allow anything negative to enter his aura.
"He wrote down on some of his books here that he wanted to be a doctor, and then as he started growing older he got really into drawing," Baker said.
Baker said Monday was the worst day of her life. She said one of Hizer's friends showed up at her house saying that he had been sent a message that the teens had been in a car wreck. When pressed for more information, the teens broke off contact.
"It was like four hours later when the cops came to my door and told me that my son had passed," she said.
For now, Baker is left with Hizer's drawings and regret.
"I just keep thinking to myself, 'I should have went out there,'" Baker said.
Police said they do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.
