Mother of 14-year-old killed while riding his bike speaks out

Chandler Golding died after being hit by a car Friday

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – Family members, friends and students in Rockbridge County are still reeling from the loss of Chandler Golding, and now his mother is speaking out to WSLS 10.

The 14-year-old was trying to turn left on Route 609 while riding his bike Friday, and was hit by a car trying to pass him.

"Chandler was just such a good kid, he was so good to everybody," Chandler's mom, Stacey Golding, said. "Every day I'd be getting ready for work or he'd be getting ready for school and he would just come in my room and look at me cross-eyed or do a dab. He just wanted to make people smile. He wanted to make people happy."

Fighting the grief of her son's sudden death, Stacey Golding shared memories with WSLS 10 of how Chandler spread happiness to everyone around him.

"He would write it on the mirror in our bathroom: smile more. That's what he wanted everybody to do was just smile. That was his goal in lifem was to make everybody smile or laugh," Stacey said.

Stacey says countless friends, classmates and teachers have reached out to her since Chandler's tragic death on Friday.

“I had no idea how many people he affected in such a good way," Stacey said.

In front of the school, a memorial of "Rockbridge rocks" continues growing.

“Chandler would be blown away, he would be blown away," Stacey said.

The high school freshman was all about faith, football, fish and family.

“He loved his family most of all, more than anything else," Stacey said.

Phyllis Kessler was driving a 2011 Ford Focus, turning onto Forest Oakes Road when her vehicle struck Chandler and his bicycle. State police say Golding was attempting to make a left turn onto Route 609 as Kessler was attempting to pass him, which resulted in the collision.

When WSLS 10 spoke to Stacey Tuesday, she had a message for Kessler.

"I know the lady that hit Chandler. I don't blame her at all. I have no ill feelings towards her at all. My heart goes out to her because I know that she must be hurting too," Stacey said.

Despite the sorrow, Stacey says she and her family are clinging to hope.

“We'll be with him again and we'll play football and we'll play Frisbee again and look at the birds and the fish. It's not over. We'll see him again," Stacey said.

Chandler’s funeral will be held Saturday in Natural Bridge.


About the Author:

Jessica anchors 10 News on Saturdays and Sundays at 6 and 11 p.m. You can also catch her reporting during the week.