More than 100 friends and family of 18-year-old David Adkins remembered him during a candlelight vigil through Goshen Friday evening.
Adkins died Thursday from injuries suffered in a traffic crash about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday night at Main Street and Plymouth Avenue. The walk from the skate park in Rogers Park through town to the accident scene at Plymouth Avenue began at about the same time.
David’s cousin, Sonia Ritter, and friend Jacqui Carmichael explained that they came up with the idea for the vigil Thursday night during a visit to the skate park.
“We were here,” Carmichael said. “This is his soul.”
Skateboarding was a part of his life, a relative said.
Cousin Alexis Ritter said Adkins enjoyed listening to music.
“He liked all of it,” she said. “He knew a whole lot.”
Friends explained that David’s nickname was Ginger, because of his bright red hair.
Bobbie Lorenzen said he was one of her best friends.
“We were like this,” she said, holding out crossed fingers. “We loved each other’s music. He liked rapping. David always lived at a fast pace. He lived life without regrets.”
Tanesha Ritter said David was her friend.
“He fixed my car one time,” she said. “He really gave of himself.”
And he continued to give and help others in his death, as he was an organ donor, explained his mother, Melanie.
“It’s the first thing he did when he got his ID at age 18,” she said. “He signed up to be an organ donor. “Today, two people who were critically ill benefitted from two of his organs.”
“He decided at age 16, when my brother died and he was a donor,” explained Henry Adkins, Melanie’s husband, who helped raise David.
Melanie commented on the fact that a witness said David died trying to save the people in the Jeep.
“A lot of people appreciated what he did, to help people in that car,” she said. “He is a hero in our eyes.”
She went on to explain that a memorial will also be held at New Paris Speedway tonight and Henry Adkins will come out of retirement and race in honor of David.
Over the years, Henry raced at New Paris and David grew up there, Melanie said.
Nik Rizor said he and David hung out every day and knew each other since the sixth grade.
Rizor rode a skateboard Friday from Rogers Park to Main and Plymouth.
“He was the coolest kid I’ve known,” Rizor said. “Yesterday was my birthday. It was my worst birthday.”
Gary Ritter, David’s biological father, explained David sought him out three years ago and they became close in the short time they knew each other.
“It was a great three years for me,” he said.
Chris Rader said David was “a real energetic, cheerful guy.”
Josie Cupp said she knew David since the eighth grade.
“We used to come down here and bring skateboards,” Cupp said. “He did everything. He was diverse.”
David Rader said David was his son’s friend.
“He taught me things,” Rader said of David. “Ginger was awesome. He was one of the most awesome kids.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Friends and family of David Adkins gathered Friday evening at the skate park at Rogers Park before walking in a vigil to Main Street and Plymouth Avenue, the scene of a crash that claimed his life Wednesday. ROD ROWE | THE GOSHEN NEWS
-
David Adkins PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
Friends honor teenager who died
- Local News
-
-
Boys & Girls Club of Goshen says goodbye to longtime director Andy Purviance
It’s the end of an era at the Boys & Girls Club of Goshen. Andy Purviance, the long-time Director of the Club, will be saying good bye to the club and Goshen this fall as he and his wife Donna relocate to San Diego where Purviance will continue his career in Boys & Girls Clubs.
-
Goshen VFW Honor Guard helps send their fellow veterans to final rest
The heat of the stuffy May day is starting to gather outside of Rieth-Rohrer Funeral Home in downtown Goshen recently as members of the VFW Post 985 Honor Guard begin to shuffle inside.
-
Duty changes with birth of LaGrange soldier's son
Usually when people think of American veterans they think of men in uniform. More often today, than in yesteryear, the veteran is a woman. In tune with the times, the military has made accommodations for this increase in female recruits.
-
Fairfield graduates ready for the next step
Fairfield High School held its 44th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 145 diplomas.
-
Westview seniors graduate Friday night
Westview High School held its 46th commencement Friday night in its school gymnasium, handing out 97 diplomas.
-
RV shipments up in April
Wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles rose 9.8 percent in April compared to the same month in 2011.
-
UPDATE: Police release names of two killed in Bristol motorcycle crash
Two Elkhart residents were killed Friday night when the motorcycle they were riding crashed along Ind. 15 as they fled police.
-
Police probe possible fatal crash near Bristol
Elkhart County rescue crews responded to a possible double fatal traffic crash on Ind. 15 just south of C.R. 112 at 9:13 p.m. Friday night. Ind. 15 was closed to non-emergency traffic and a Samaritan medical helicopter landed at the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
-
Goshen teen who shot himself Tuesday arrested for using sawed-off gun in robbery
A 17-year-old male recently admitted to IU Health Goshen Hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a BP gas station in Goshen this past Sunday.
-
Wild phlox can be found this time of year
Nature’s bounty can sometimes produce unexpected beauty in the form of wildflowers that can pop up anywhere and everywhere. They can be some of the most exhilarating because of the unusual colors, the delicacy of the blossoms, or simply their choice of location to grow.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
