Wagoner Community In Shock After Boy On Bike Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver

The sixth grader was riding home on his bike with his brother when the wreck happened. His family and friends are grieving a life gone too soon.<br />

Saturday, November 9th 2013, 11:04 pm

By: News On 6


Family and friends mourned at the scene of deadly wreck on Saturday. A 12-year-old boy on the way home from a youth group event was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver.

Richard Roth is behind bars, but little Billy Lord's family is grieving a life gone too soon.

The community of Wagoner is still in shock.

"We were really close friends, and it's sad for me to swallow the fact that he's gone," friend Janae Diehl said.

Diehl remembers her buddy Billy Lord's attitude towards life.

"He's a best friend a girl could ever ask for," Diehl said.

11/9/2013 Related Story: Wagoner Boy On Bicycle Killed By Suspected DUI Driver

The sixth grader was riding home on his bike with his brother when the wreck happened.

Roth was arrested on a complaint of first-degree manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.

"It's just an unfortunate tragedy," Wagoner Police Lt. Brad Harding said.

Police officers who investigated the accident are shaken up.

"It's unfortunate any parts when it hits a child they haven't had a chance in life yet," Harding said.

Family members and friends went to the scene to remember the 12-year-old.

The spray paint marked where the accident happened is now being overshadowed by a roadside memorial.

His family says he was Sooners fan and a loving brother.

"He's the best brother I've ever had," sister Riannah Harris said.

Lord's pastor says tomorrow's youth group meeting will be a difficult one as the healing process begins.

"A lot of those kids were his friends," student pastor Alan Muehlenweg said. "We are just tackling that one step at a time."

Diehl is keeping a piece of Lord's bike to remember him.

"I want to keep it as a memory, not just of his bike but of him and the night he died, but closely as a night we all came together," Diehl said.

Police suspect Roth was drinking at the time of the accident and they are waiting further toxicology reports to come back.

The investigation is ongoing.

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