SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — In his short 16 years of life, Ryder Shoup inspired many, including his middle school teachers.
“He was a good kid, major diamond in the rough,” said Marie Kracha, his P.E. teacher at Mar Vista Academy.
Ryder's little sisters shared memories of their time with him.
“Is that your brother?”
“Ya, we’re both eating ice cream,” his sister said.
Ryder's football coach at Mar Vista High School also remembered him fondly.
“You’ll be absolutely missed," said Coach David Moore. "You’ll never be forgotten ... I love you man.”
Ryder died early Wednesday morning when a wrong way driver hit him on Interstate 5 South, according to the California Highway Patrol.
He leaves behind a four-month-old son, and a heartbroken family.
“It’s been very hard, but seeing everyone come together like this has been great," said Ashley Day, Ryder's mom. "Thank you. Thank you.”
Ryder's mom thanked Ryder’s friends for organizing Saturday’s vigil. Most of them used to skate with him in Imperial Beach.
“He was just loved by so many," Day said. "He was always out here, and this is all his family, all our family. This community is great.”
“He would put his little head through the door. ‘Hey Ms. Guzman!’ ‘Hey Ryder, go to class,’ said Laura Guzman, Ryder's middle school counselor. "Cute kid, beautiful soul, he will be missed tremendously.”
“We’re dedicating this next season to Ryder, always keep him in our hearts,” Moore said.
Ryder’s coach painted an image of him and brought it to the vigil. Loved ones took turns writing their last words they couldn't say.
“Do you have anything you’d want to say to him if he was here?”
“You're a good guy Ryder," Kracha said. "Just an amazing boy. I know you're always with us. You're with your little boy. He was a bright kid, shining star.”
CHP identified the wrong-way driver as 67-year-old Eileen Crawford, who also died in the crash. Officers are investigating whether alcohol or drugs were a factor.
