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HERRIMAN — CJ Drisdom said what he's feeling is something he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy. He also said he had no idea how many people loved his son until now.
Ardell Perry Drisdom, 13, was killed in an auto-pedestrian accident Tuesday.
The student at Copper Mountain Middle School was hit about 3:35 p.m. near Bobcat Drive (5085 West) and Main Street (12765 South). Ardell, whose friends called him Andrew, had just stepped off the median on Main Street when he was hit by a westbound driver who didn't see him, said Unified police detective Ken Hansen.
Police believe Andrew was likely crossing the street to go to the J.L. Sorenson Recreation Center. Hansen said many children often cross the road in that area, not using a crosswalk, attempting to get from the apartments on one side to the recreation center on the other.
Andrew's friends took purple ribbons, his favorite color, and tied them Wednesday throughout the area where he was hit. He's being remembered as a great dancer, someone who was kind to everyone, and a religious boy who offered prayers for friends who were having a tough time.
Wednesday night, it was his family having the toughest time of all.
"I got a call from a parent this morning, and she said, 'I want my son to know the God that Andrew knows.' That's just blessed my heart, man. You know?" said an emotional CJ Drisdom.
"It's my oldest boy, you know? My oldest son. He was my rider. I called him bro. I never called him son. I called him Andrew when he was in trouble, but I always called him bro."
Drisdom said he has been on vacation for the past month and got a chance to "really hang out with" and enjoy time with his teenage son.
"He was a dancer. He was a singer. He just loved God, man. He just loved God with all his heart. He danced around and we got a chance to see him in church this weekend, and he was just worshiping God man, and it was just a beautiful thing."
The father added: "I’m just grateful for his life. Thirteen little bitty years, but for him it was everything. He did everything he wanted to do, and everything that he could do for people. He would give his shirt off his back for all of them, so I’m grateful."
Drisdom said the death has has hit him and his family hard.
"This is difficult, but you know, without God we wouldn’t be able to get through this, I can tell you that right now. I got my brothers and my wife and my sister here, and it’s not enough without God. You know. It’s just not enough."
The school issued a statement Wednesday, which said: "Today is a sad day at Copper Mountain Middle School. We are grieved by the death of Andrew Perry, one of our students, who died yesterday afternoon in a tragic auto accident. The school counselors and district crisis team have been available all day for any students, staff or community members needing assistance.
"Our heart and love go out to Andrew’s family, friends and teachers. We wish them hope and peace at a difficult time. We encourage you to talk to your child tonight with honest information regarding the situation. Thank you for your support."
Some parents have expressed concerns that the road where Andrew was hit isn't safe and other accidents could happen because many children run across that road to get to the library and recreation center.
"It's something I'm concerned about every single day,” said Lindsay Hagblom, who is part of a parents group that for nearly two years has been working to try and make crossing roads safer for children.
“I'm a big fan of my kid getting out and walking whenever possible. There's so many benefits from that, and I don't feel he can. I don't feel like it's safe,” Hagblom said.
There wasn't a crosswalk where Drisdom was hit, but that's something the city of Herriman has considered.
"Traffic studies currently don't warrant any additional signals or crosswalks,” said Herriman spokeswoman Tami Moody. But she said when the new City Hall is finished next fall, there will be two new crosswalks across Main Street because the city is growing fast.
"Every single time there’s a new development in that area, we perform a traffic study to see how it will impact our roads, our traffic, and our community,” she said.
On social media Wednesday, friends of Andrew's family posted messages of condolence.
"Praying for the Perry/Drisdom family members after losing their 13-year-old son, grandson, and brother yesterday afternoon. Praying for my entire church family who loved him so dearly," one man wrote.
Contributing: Pat Reavy
