NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Nashville family is grieving the sudden loss of a beloved 16-year-old.
JaMon Hurt left his house Thursday to go pick up an ingredient for dinner, but he never made it back home.
"He was just getting a single item, so it wasn't like he would be gone for hours," LaMont Hurt, JaMon's father, said. "We were expecting him back at least within 10, 15, 20 minutes at the most."
LaMont, concerned for his son's safety, jumped in the car and went looking for JaMon. Eventually, he came across the crash.
"I asked [the police officer] what type of vehicle is that," LaMont said. "I said, 'Is that a Toyota?' and he said, 'Yes.' My heart dropped."
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said the SUV ran off Smith Springs Road. The car flipped, ejecting JaMon. He was transported to a Nashville hospital via helicopter where he passed away.
The MNPD is still investigating the cause of the crash, though an initial report indicated that JaMon was not wearing a seatbelt. His parents told News 2 they never got a phone call from authorities alerting them to the crash.
"We had no type of chance at all to even be with him," LaMont said. "To feel that type of loneliness, and what he was going through like that, is what is making me hurt."
His parents never got to say goodbye.
"That would have boosted his energy levels up to be strong and say, 'Hey, I'm confident, I'm confident now. My parents are here. Let's get through this. I will get through this,'" LaMont said.
Though JaMon is gone, his parent told News 2 that his legacy lives on through his nine siblings' memories and the impact he had on so many lives.
"He was definitely an inspiration to anybody that he came in contact with," JaMon's mother, Cangela Hurt, told News 2.
Follow this link to donate to a GoFundMe supporting JaMon's family.
