Family, Friends Hold Candlelight Vigil For 7-Year-Old Boy Killed By Car

Family and friends gathered Thursday night to mourn a seven-year-old boy killed while making his way to school.

Elijah Rivers never made it to the bus stop Wednesday, never got the chance to show his class his Halloween costume.

He was hit and killed by a car.

Friends and family members and even complete strangers showed up at the scene of the accident Thursday night to honor Elijah Rivers.

We spoke with his mother, who said she can't imagine life without her little boy.

"It breaks my heart that God took him so soon," Kesha Rivers said.

Overcome with emotion, Elijah Rivers' mom, Kesha, is trying to understand why.

"I'll never get to see him go to college, I'll never get to see him be married and it hurts," Kesha said.

Her little boy was the light of her life and she was the light of his.

"He loved his momma. He would tell me everything," Kesha said. "He would tell me his secrets and how his day went at school, if he scored a touchdown, ‘Momma I scored a touchdown!' So yeah, he was a momma's boy."

10/31/2012 Related Story: 7-Year-Old In Halloween Costume Killed By Car

Elijah didn't just love his momma, though. He had a passion for music, loved the keyboard—even played at his church. Then there was his love for sports. Elijah was a football star, the quarterback of his team.

Kesha said her son wasn't sure what he wanted to be when he grew up—maybe a policeman, maybe a chef. Whatever it would be, she said he wanted to make her proud, and he did.

"He made me proud, this child," Kesha said.

It was clear by the number of little candles burning that Elijah was loved.

Even with prayer and song and the support of a tight-knit community, Elijah's dad isn't sure how life can go on.

"Life without my son—I can't even imagine, so I don't know," said Tshaka Rivers.

But what he does know is that he doesn't want his son's death to be in vain. He said he hopes, if anything, that it will save other children and other families from feeling the pain he's going through right now.

"I blame no one, but if drivers could be more aware, especially when they see children—just to slow down," Tshaka said.

There were many parents there to support Elijah Rivers' parents. They said they're hoping Elijah's death will bring change to their streets. They say they want better lit roads and crosswalks.

A memorial fund has been set up in Elijah's name at Arvest Bank.