'I just cried': Community, family remember Jacksonville boy killed by car

Eleven-year-old Terry Bryant's stepfather, Andante Brown, says their family is grieving the unexpected loss of his stepson.

As the family grieves, they reflect on fond memories of the boy.

Brown recalled Bryant's response when he asked if he could have his mother's hand in marriage.

"I want you to be my dad," Brown recalled Bryant saying. "...I'm always watching you, so continue to treat her right."

Bryant was hit a Kia Wednesday afternoon minutes after being dropped off by his school bus. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Brown says their bond was stronger than any titles may indicate.

"He was my son," he said.  "...may have been my stepson, but that was my son and I love him to death."

Brown tells Action News Jax he loved playing games with the neighborhood children, walked his best friends to and from the bus stop and had even started his own trash takeout business.

"It kind of caught me off guard," said Brown.  "...I have trouble keeping him, keeping the stuff in the house done in his room."

RELATED: Stepfather says mother of child hit by car watched him take his last breath

Melissa Kelly was one of his biggest customers.

"He said, 'Miss Melissa, I'm coming by to get your trash!''' Kelly recalled Bryant saying. "And I was like, 'OK, come on in!'"

Kelly tells Action News Jax he used the money to buy things for his brothers and sisters.

Today she noticed the trash needed to be taken out and had an immediate reaction.

"I got up this morning," she said. "I got a cup of coffee and I sat down on my couch and I just cried."

JSO says the case remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group