WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The family of Aspen Dylan Runnels, a Lakota East freshman hit by a vehicle near the school's campus last week, said an MRI found his brain injury "is not survivable."
"The results of the MRI came back today," his mother Christina Alcorn wrote in a Facebook update. "Sadly, Aspen has a catastrophic brain injury that is not survivable. It will take a few days to clinically declare brain death as we are donating his organs, but functionally he has departed from us."
One day later, Alcorn wrote on social media that her son had died.
"Time of death: 11:34 a.m.," reads the post. "Aspen remains on a ventilator awaiting matches for organ donation."
Runnels was in a crosswalk on Bethany Road, between Lakota East's freshman campus and high school, just after 2 p.m. when a person driving a pickup truck hit him, the Butler County Sheriff's Office said. A crash report shows the driver told officials she looked away from the road to adjust her baby's pacifier when the crash occurred.
Runnels' classmates and other community members hosted a candlelight vigil at The Square at Union Center in West Chester on Sunday to honor him.
"He never stops dancing," said Carrie Hill, who is on the Lakota East Color Guard with Runnels.
"He was just really energetic," said Anna Reid, another teammate.
His teammates and coach praised his dedication, creativity and kindness.
"He's such a light to the guard and even without him here physically right now, that that light keeps shining," Hill said.
RELATED | Candlelight vigil held for Lakota East freshman hit by vehicle, in critical condition
In her Facebook update, Alcorn thanked the community for their support.
"Please share your memories of Aspen, stories, photos, and keep his memory alive," she wrote. "Sing and dance to Taylor Swift, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and be kind to each other as he would have been. Let his infectious smile and beautiful soul live on through each of us. He was too good for this world. Rest in peace, my beautiful baby boy."
Alcorn spoke to WCPO 9 at the vigil, calling on drivers to slow down, saying what happened to her son was "completely avoidable."
Trisha Parnell is hoping people take the message seriously. She helped organize the event after contacting the family after the incident.
"We knew exactly what this mom is feeling right now," she said.
Parnell's daughter was hit in a crosswalk near Lakota West High School in 2018.
"We were in the hospital for a few weeks, obviously, and then a year fully of recovery," she said.
A GoFundMe has been organized for the family to help cover expenses. You can click here to donate.
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