‘A hero’: 13-year-old killed in Exeter crash will be saving lives

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The family of a 13-year-old who was killed in Exeter after being hit while he was riding his scooter will honor his life by helping him save others, according to a GoFundMe posted by the family.

According to the victim’s family, Kayden, 13, was riding his scooter near a friend’s house on April 5 in Exeter when a vehicle veered off the side of the road and struck him. Kayden was sent to Valley Children’s Hospital. He was in critical condition but passed away due to his injuries.

Kayden’s family says, despite the circumstances, they are “comforted” knowing Kayden’s organs will be donated, saving up to eight children’s lives. They say this is a way that will allow Kayden to keep touching other people’s hearts by “giving hope” to other families.

“While it is an unimaginable heartbreak for our family, we are comforted knowing that Kayden’s spirit of kindness and generosity lives on. His organs will be donated to save the lives of five to eight children through organ donation. In this way, our precious boy, who touched so many hearts, will continue to be a hero, giving hope to other families who might face the pain of losing a child,” it states on the GoFundMe.

The family is asking for the public’s help to raise awareness, but also to raise funds to cover the costs of medical care and the celebration of life arrangements. Click here to help.