JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of a 12-year-old boy who was hit by a car Friday and later died has identified him as Brighton Penkacik.
The boy’s father Jason Penkacik described his son as a bright light and a lover of sports like wrestling and loved God.
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According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a witness told them the two boys were being chased by a dog. The brother of the 12-year-old stopped as they were being chased.
Brighton continued trying to get away from the dog. Then he ran towards oncoming traffic on Lane Avenue South.
JSO said the boy was taken to the hospital and died.
Brighton’s father called this situation sad and sent a statement about his son.
“He loved God, singing worship songs, and recently had questions about what heaven was like. He now has all the answers and I look forward to seeing him up there.” -Jason Penkacik
Jason said the family was supposed to go to Busch Gardens on Saturday.
The Thursday before his son died, Jason said the 12-year-old had been watching a lot of videos about a certain ride he wanted to get on. The dad said since that didn’t happen, he said one day he will go to Busch Gardens and ride that particular ride for his son.
Jason also said Brighton’s sibling, who watched his brother get hit Friday morning is “very strong and doing better than I would expect, but still very sad and misses Brighton deeply.”