Pedestrian killed in Highlands Ranch crash identified as 13-year-old boy

Families gathered at a busy intersection in Highlands Ranch Thursday evening, holding a candlelight vigil to remember 13-year-old Alex Mackiewicz.

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — Families gathered at a busy intersection in Highlands Ranch Thursday evening, to hold a candlelight vigil to remember 13-year-old Alex Mackiewicz.

He was hit and killed early Wednesday morning near Highlands Ranch Parkway and Venneford Ranch Road.

Dozens of Alex's friends, classmates and family filled the corner near where Alex lost his life. The sound of sobs filled the cold night air as those who knew the 13-year-old tried to process why he was taken so soon and what happened in the crash that claimed his life.

A young teen walked to school on Wednesday afternoon in Highlands Ranch. He was "brimming with the excitement and anticipation of his first baseball practice of the season," his aunt later said in a GoFundMe post.

The 13-year-old student — later identified as Alex Mackiewicz — was struck and killed by a vehicle during a crash near Venneford Ranch Road and Highlands Ranch Parkway around 7 a.m., according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

The department is still investigating the crash, a Douglas County Sheriff's Office representative told The Denver Gazette Thursday. They declined to provide any further updates on the driver and other information about the crash.

"Alex loved baseball and was a great athlete, proudly batting and pitching lefty," his aunt, Wendy Cegielski, said on the family's GoFundMe. "Alex was not just a son, brother and friend but a light in the lives of all who knew him. He was a gentle, kind and caring soul who loved his family."

The family added that funeral and other expenses would reach $20,000, causing the start of the fundraiser. It reached over $27,000 in seven hours.

The Highlands Ranch community will be coming together for a candlelight vigil at the intersection of Venneford Ranch Road and Highlands Ranch Parkway at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the department.

All are welcome to attend and show their support for the Mackiewicz family.

Despite the rain and cold, Alex's loved ones filled the area surrounding the memorial for Alex that sits on the corner of where he was hit and killed.

Alex's mother, Victoria Cegielski, said her son was crossing the street yesterday, headed to school when the crash happened.

His stepdad, Owen Cegielski said Alex was a special kid, a great kid, one that changed their lives.

“He made me a better father and a better person. I couldn’t have asked for a better son in my life and I’m going to truly miss him. And this is all dedicated for him and I wanted to thank you all and the community for reaching out to us and helping us," Owen said.

Speaking to Alex's friends and classmates Thursday, his mom Victoria told those gathered at the vigil she knows nothing will bring her son back. Now, she said she remembers him for the loving goofball he was.

Still, she said after what happened to Alex, she's calling for better safety measures for the kids who will still have to cross this very busy corner on their way to school.

A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office representative told PEOPLE in an email Friday that no further details have been released and investigators are still working on the case.

The victim was later identified as Alex Mackiewicz by his aunt Wendy Cegielski in a GoFundMe campaign. According to the fundraiser's description, Alex was heading for Mountain Ridge Middle School when he was hit by a van as he crossed the intersection.

“Alex loved baseball and was a great athlete, proudly batting and pitching lefty. Alex was not just a son, brother, and friend but a light in the lives of all who knew him. He was a gentle, kind, and caring soul who loved his family. In his passing, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of community support.