Family of 16-year-old found pinned under van holds candlelight vigil in his memory

OVIEDO, Fla. — The family of a 16-year-old Oviedo boy found pinned under a van Saturday night gathered with friends and loved ones Monday to mourn his death with a candlelight vigil.

Nearly 250 people gathered at Round Lake Park to remember Hagerty High School sophomore Chris Johnson Jr.

Johnson was walking to the store with his twin sister on Chinaberry Avenue about two blocks from his house with he was hit by a minivan, deputies said.

He was pinned underneath and died of his injuries.

The driver of the van, who investigators are calling a person of interest, fled the scene on foot, deputies said.

Speaking at the vigil Monday, Johnson’s mother, Lakeisha Johnson, was overcome with emotion.

“I love him,” she said. “I love him so dearly.”

His twin sister, Cymer’hia Johnson, thanked the crowd, which included many of the 16-year-old’s classmates.

“I really love you all for doing this,” she said. “So, thank you.”

Delano Jarrett said it would be hard to go forward without his brother.

“It’s not fair,” he said. “It’s a piece that was a part of me.”

Janice Jarrett, Johnson's grandmother, pleaded with the minivan’s driver to turn himself in.

“Whoever this person is, this young man is, you need to come forth,” she said. “I don’t care what the situation is.”

Cox Media Group