Shattered friends and family of a Hastings teen who died in a horrific car crash early Monday morning remembered him as a soft spoken and hard working young man with big dreams.
“Just know how much you made impact on our lives,” a family friend wrote on Facebook Tuesday. “You were a respectful and mature man. Every time you were around and cared about others so much without wanting anything in return.”
According to his girlfriend, Julian Madison, 18, was driving home from work southbound on SR 207 at Deerpark Boulevard at 2 a.m. when he hit the rear of a pickup truck.
Madison, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected through the windshield of his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
The 58-year-old driver of the truck was not injured and no charges have been filed in the case.
“I just can’t believe it,” his girlfriend Katelyn Cochran wrote in a wrenching Facebook post after the accident. “My love. My heart. My person. My other half is gone. Just like that.”
Those familiar with Madison described him as a likable and reliable young man, with one poster calling him “sweet and wonderful.”
“I am so thankful for the time I had with you and the memories we created,” Cochran wrote. “You were such an amazing person who was always there for everyone. I love you and rest easy for me handsome.”
Madison’s family, including his mother, Nicole, are preparing a Gofundme campaign to help with burial costs.
Her co-workers are rallying to her aid, and have began collecting donations at her place of employment.
The Citizen will highlight any future fundraising campaigns as they become public.
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