Local

"I'm going to miss him": Mother of teen killed in crash on Oakleaf Village Parkway speaks

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — 11/12/19 UPDATE: Tajuan Richey, an 18-year-old student who was injured in a deadly crash on Oakleaf in September is now rehabbing his injuries.

9/19/19 UPDATE: Tajuan Richey, an 18-year-old student who was injured in Monday's deadly crash in Oakleaf had to have his leg amputated, according to his mother.

Original Story:

An Orange Park community is rallying behind the family of a local teenager killed in a crash Monday afternoon.

Police said the 16-year-old was the driver of a car that struck a tree, snapping it in half on Oakleaf Village Parkway. Two other teens who were also in the car are seriously hurt.

TRENDING: 

Action News Jax has learned the identity of the teen killed: Keondre Moss, a student at Oakleaf High School. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said they are looking for two other cars who they say could be involved in racing with Moss prior to the crash.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

A friend of the Moss' family posted a GoFundMe fundraiser asking for the community to help during this tragic time. They say Moss was a "very sweet and good young man."

Students at Oakleaf High School wore red in honor of him Tuesday.

The Clay County school district provided grief counselors to support the students and staff.

"It hurts to see that I got to say goodbye to my friend right now," Oakleaf High School Student, Elliott Fanning said. "As you can see, trees are gone, it's just a tragedy right now."

Students described a somber mood on campus Tuesday. The school district provided grief counselors for students and staff.

"A whole of tears everywhere, sadness," Fanning said. "All of my classes were quiet, no rowdiness, none of that. They just cried."

"It was a lot of crying, a lot of grieving," Oakleaf High School Student Leila Brown said. "Teachers went through it, students went through it. We had the counselors up there. It was just a hard day in school for everybody."

Tajuan Richey, one of the teens injured in the crash, is still in the ICU recovering, his mother says. Richey's mom said there is a GoFundMe set up for medical expenses.

The other teen hurt in the crash, Brian Ransom is 17 years old. His mother said her son is bleeding on the brain and has broken bones. There is also a GoFundMe set up to help with Ransom's medical bills.

Tuesday evening, Action News Jax spoke with Keondre Moss' mother, Katina.

"He was a family guy," Katina Moss said.  "He loved his niece.  He wanted to be an engineer, work on cars. I'm going to miss him."

The Moss family are lifelong Chiefs fans. Just last weekend, they went to the Kansas City-Jacksonville game at TIAA Bank Field.

But Monday, they'd get the tragic news.

"I'm numb," Moss said. "It comes in waves. It's going to take a while."

Moss just hopes answers come soon in the investigation.

"I love you, [Keondre]," Moss said. "You were loved beyond measure."

A family friend of Moss created an online fundraiser to support his family, click here.

To honor their friends, students said the school will honor Moss and his family before the homecoming game this Friday evening. All are encouraged to wear red in honor of Moss.

Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson said the other drivers could faces charges for racing. He said charges for leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death are also possible.

Download WJAX Apps