ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – Students and staff at Rockbridge County High School are mourning the loss of freshman student Chandler Golding.
Police say the 14-year-old was trying to turn left on Route 609 while riding his bike Friday, when he got hit by a car trying to pass him.
With just three school days left before summer vacation, students and teachers at Rockbridge are remembering a life cut short.
"Very quiet kid. He sat up in the front of the classroom, popular with his other classmates, really a straight-A kid. He was a ‘yes sir, no sir’ kind of kid. He was just the kind of kid that really made history a lot of fun to teach," said Rockbridge County High School teacher Mark Poston.
There’s a growing memorial in front of the school. Students, staff and community members painted rocks to pay tribute to Chandler, who was just wrapping up his freshman year.
"It's a tragedy and we are heartbroken and we would like to just take this time to extend our thoughts and prayers, sincerely, our thoughts and prayers to his family," Poston said.
Even in the midst of exams, students found creative ways to honor their classmate.
"Students on their own have started to wear orange to school today and at the lunchroom at the cafeteria it was just a sea of orange and it was really, really positive and the school has really come together," Poston said.
A GoFundMe account was started Saturday to help the Golding family. It quickly reached its $4,000 goal and has already surpassed $4,500.
Those who knew Chandler told WSLS 10 they're clinging to hope and holding on to memories of a friend who is gone too soon.
"Just really a great, great kid and had a bright future and he will be missed. He will be missed," Poston said.
The Rockbridge commonwealth's attorney is reviewing the investigation to determine whether any charges will be filed.