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OREM — As he always did, Eric Longhurst left his house Wednesday evening by telling his mother 'Love you,' before riding off on his scooter to a friend's house.
Moments later, the 11-year-old was hit by a truck while crossing the street. He never regained consciousness and died Thursday night.
It was the second time in less than two years that Eric had been hit by a vehicle while crossing that same Orem intersection.
Eric's family expressed their gratitude Friday that their final words and interaction with him were of love, and they encouraged other families to never have to say, "I wish I would have."
"Give your children a hug and a kiss, and tell them that you love them. We're on this Earth a short time. And a kind word, a hug, and lifting others is what this world needs more of," Eric's father, Mark Longhurst, said.
The Longhurst family — many wearing purple in honor of Eric's "loud and vibrant" personality — met with reporters Friday to share memories of their loved one. Although the previous two days had been difficult, the family remained amazingly positive. They also said they have forgiven the driver who hit and killed Eric, saying there is already too much negativity in the world.
"We have a lot of hate and anger in the world and we can be kinder to one another. And this individual, I'm sure, feels terrible about what occurred," Mark Longhurst said. "Our family has completely forgiven the driver and we are grateful for the driver's kind acts, compassion and love towards our son immediately following the accident."
Eric and a friend were riding their scooters about 4 p.m. Wednesday when they attempted to cross 1600 North at Main Street, in a crosswalk. A man in his 30s driving a pickup truck attempted a left turn from Main Street onto 1600 North and struck the boy, said Orem Police Lt. Craig Martinez.
The truck was traveling at a low speed and stopped immediately, Martinez said. An Orem police officer was just a block away when the crash happened and was on scene immediately to provide aid. A nurse and even Eric's sixth grade teacher were among the first on the scene to help the boy. Eric, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to a local hospital.
According to a GoFundMe page set up to help the Longhurst family with funeral and medical expenses, Eric "suffered major trauma to his brain." His father said the family knew Wednesday that Eric would not survive.
The accident remained under investigation Friday. Martinez said investigators have received conflicting reports about the stop lights and who had the right of way.
Tragically, Wednesday's incident was not the first time Eric had been hit while crossing that street. In October of 2014, Eric was on a bicycle crossing the same intersection when he was hit by a car making a turn, Martinez said. Eric's injuries in that incident were minor.
His mother, Carolyn Longhurst, tearfully called that incident a "preparation" for the latest tragedy.
"To enjoy him more, and love him and just be grateful for him and to prepare us for this day," Longhurst said. "I know he wasn't taken before his time."
When asked if any changes need to be made at the intersection to make it safer, Martinez said it already has crossing lights and other safety tools. He reminded drivers and pedestrians to always be aware of their surroundings and look out for each other.
Friends and family members mourned Eric's passing on social media Friday.
Jason Longhurst wrote a tribute blog to his brother, and addressed it "to the child who gets my brother's heart."
The family started to inquire about organ donation after the accident. In the blog, Longhurst wrote that the "lucky" child who gets Eric's heart should know, "Eric's heart was the biggest part of him. He loved more than normal people. He seemed to have an extra portion of vitality and capacity to love than most of us have. Maybe he knew, somehow, that he wouldn't have as much time as the rest of us, and he was determined to get as much living done as he could."
Eric loved sledding in the winter and swimming in the summer, according to his family. He loved being around his family, playing games with them, and he loved to win. Eric was the boy who would loudly yell, "Hello!" when he entered the house.
His mother said he was the one who would always say "thank you" after each meal and give her a hug whenever he said goodbye.
"He was a light to everyone who knew him because they knew how much he cared," Jason Longhurst said. "Inside each of us, his heart beats on."
"To my sweet Eric Daniel Longhurst. I will see your smiling face once more. Of this, I have complete hope and faith. Thank you for bringing such joy and comfort to my life!! You always expressed your gratitude to me with words and hugs. Your enthusiasm for life, sincere compassion for others, and happy countenance will always be remembered and hopefully emulated. I love you dear son, my Danny Boy!!!!" his mother, Carolyn Longhurst wrote on her Facebook page.
"Eric will be so missed. What a special boy he was," one person wrote in reply.
"Eric was a very kind and loving young man with a love for life and the world around him. He was wise beyond his years in things that matter most because he was raised by an amazing mother and father who taught him well in eternal things. Because of that, he learned to love and value and care for other people and God," wrote another person.
Eric was a sixth-grade student at Northridge Elementary. He was a member of the school choir. The choir is scheduled to perform at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday. Alpine School District spokesman David Stephenson said the choir plans to dedicate its performance to Eric.
About eight crisis counselors were at the school Friday to help those struggling with the boy's death.
Eric was very well liked in the school and came from a big family, Stephenson said. His mother is also active in working with the school.
"We love you, Eric! Your kindness and energetic, happy attitude changed lives. You're now on to a greater work. You will be greatly missed," friends wrote on his GoFundMe account.
"Eric was a friend to all. This child taught us how to live and how to love everyone," the boys' father said. "He was wise beyond his years in many ways."
Mark Longhurst said it faith in their religion and a belief in an afterlife has kept the family strong.
"The reality is this life isn't it. So the body that is there preparing to give other life is a temporary existence," he said.
Contributing: Paul Nelson
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