Parents, classmates shaken by tragic accident that killed 10-year-old boy

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 | 10:58 a.m.

On just about any other day, Lori Judd would have let her two sons walk home alone from Priest Elementary School in North Las Vegas.

But when Tuesday's dismissal bell rang, Judd was waiting in her car outside the campus for second grader Jay and third grader Aaron.

The death of their schoolmate -- killed after being run over by a tractor-trailer while skating home from school Monday -- had shaken both boys, Judd said.

"They were pretty upset last night and said they didn't want to walk home anymore," Judd said. "I thought it would cheer them up some if I came and got them."

Jade Kilmer, a 10-year-old fifth grader at Priest, died after apparently slipping under the wheels of the tractor-trailer at the intersection of Gowan Road and Clayton Street, North Las Vegas police spokesman Justin Roberts said.

Based on information from witnesses -- including several Priest students who were waiting to cross the intersection -- it appears Kilmer tried to stop or turn, but was unable to avoid the trailer's wheels, Roberts said.

The driver, unaware of the accident, continued down the street before being stopped by witnesses, Roberts said. The 57-year-old man is employed by Pipes Paving and was towing two trailers at the time.

A toxicology report is pending on the driver, but police do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors, Roberts said.

"Every indication is that this was a tragic accident," Roberts said.

Linda Griffith, principal of Priest, recalled Kilmer as a good student known for his infectious grin and ability to win a laugh from just about anyone.

"He just had one of those personalities that stood out," Griffith said. "Even teachers who didn't have him in their classroom knew him."

Grief counselors spent the day at Priest talking with students and staff. North Las Vegas Police have also offered support, Griffith said.

"We're a new school but we're already a community, I think we've seen that today," Griffith said.

Parents picking up their children at Priest on Tuesday said they planned to use the accident as a reminder to their children to use extra caution, particularly in pockets of heavy construction surrounding the school.

Judd said she doesn't allow her sons to bring their bicycles, scooters or in-line skates to school.

"It just seems safer if they're walking on their own two feet," Judd said. "Even so I've told them not to fool around, never push anyone or try and race across the street. And they always have to wait for the crossing guard at the corners."

Student Robert Bedell learned of the accident Monday evening when relatives began anxiously telephoning his home to make sure he was safe after seeing news reports about a 10-year-old fifth grader from Priest being killed.

"I'm in the fifth grade and 10 years old and I go to Priest," Bedell said. "Everyone was really scared it was me."

Tuesday Bedell and his classmates wrote a letter to Kilmer's parents.

"We said we were sorry about what happened and that your son is in a better place," Bedell said.

Traffic safety is a frequent topic at Priest, as at most of the district's schools. Griffith said she ends each day's announcements with a reminder to students to be cautious and teachers will continue to incorporate traffic safety into their lesson plans.

It's a message that appears to have stuck, at least with one first grader.

"You have to look both ways when you cross the street," said 6-year-old Stephen, whose grandmother asked that his last name not be used. "Or you could get runned over."