Hundreds gather at Juno Beach for wake of 14-year-old who died after bicycle accident

It was an emotional evening at the Juno Beach Pier as hundreds of loved ones gathered for a vigil in honor of 14-year-old Steven Aristizabal, who was hit while riding his bicycle last Wednesday. He died in hospital on Tuesday morning.

“I’m sad he’s gone, but I feel like a piece of me will always be with him,” said teammate Russell Mahan.

Several students, teammates, family and friends are left with a heavy heart.

“Sad, and I just can’t believe he’s gone because he was such a nice kid,” teammate Tyler Hodas said. “I really don’t think he deserved any of this.”

They say Aristizabal was a dedicated soccer player in Palm Beach Gardens for many years.

“I played with him my entire football career, so I just couldn’t believe it,” Mahan said.

Along with lanterns, t-shirts and candles, some commemorated the heart of Aristizabal, both on and off the field.

“One of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met,” said Aristizabal’s friend, Chloe Crawford. “He always wanted to make people proud.”

“Once we got on the field, I felt like he was like a brother to me,” Mahan said. ‘We always had each other’s backs’

Old friends who grew up with Aristizabal have been carrying the pain since last week.

“He was my best friend and had known him since Pre-K,” Dylan Contreras said. “It’s just sad that this day is coming.”

For now, his loved ones and teammates carry on, in his honor. A GoFundMe was created for family and funeral expenses.

“In the coming years we will play for his spirit,” says teammate Massimo Baldepenas. “We’re just going to remember him, just play for him.”

Family friends say his organs will be donated in hopes of saving other lives.

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