A 13-year-old boy was killed in a car crash following a trip to an amusement park in Tennessee, family members told news outlets.
Aidan Linville was on the way back to Sparta from a day at Dollywood, loved ones told WVLT. Holly Kemmerly, Aidan’s grandmother, said in a Facebook post that he was with his church youth group.
A crash report from the Crossville Police Department obtained by WBIR said the driver of a van carrying two adults and three teens, including Aidan, did not stop at a flashing red light at the intersection of Highway 70.
The driver of the van told police he didn’t see anyone coming, the report said, according to WBIR. A pickup truck then collided with the van, sending it off the road, officials said.
The truck driver and two passengers said they were not seriously hurt, but Aidan and another teen in the van were taken to the Cumberland Medical Center, officials told WBIR. The other teen had minor injuries.
Aidan was transferred to University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, according to a statement from family members on Facebook.
“That boy cherished his family. He loved spending time with his church family and youth group, Boy Scout friends and school friends,” the family said. “He was in fact a vibrant soul.”
Tyler Brandes, leader of Aidan’s Boy Scout troop in Sparta, told McClatchy News that the teen helped his dad, who lost his arm in an industrial accident. He described Aidan as a “typical 13-year-old boy” who loved Marvel comics and playing outside on his uncle’s farm.af
Kemmerly thanked those who had reached out to support the family.
“We appreciate all the prayers that everyone is sending. Our family is hurting,” Kemmerly said in the post.
A GoFundMe page was started by Brandes’ wife, Ashley, to help Aidan’s family with medical expenses, funeral arrangements and other costs.
“He touched so many lives with his kindness, laughter, and adventurous spirit. His sudden passing has left his family heartbroken and facing many unexpected and difficult decisions,” the GoFundMe said of Aidan.
The crash remains under investigation, WVLT reported.
Crossville is about about 70-mile drive west of Knoxville and about a 100-mile drive northwest of Dollywood, which is in Pigeon Forge.
