Walled Lake Western rallies around family of student killed in hit-and-run

(WJBK) - Walled Lake Western High School should be celebrating the end of the school year, but, instead they are mourning their classmate.

A vigil was held Wednesday night to remember 14-year-old Justin Lee, who was killed this week by a hit-and-run driver on Potter Road in Wixom. 

About a thousand people met at the school to honor the memory of Justin. They are trying to remember the good times to get through such a tough one. 

"(He) was the kid who would challenge you to a dance off in the boy’s locker room," said football coach Mike Weiskopf. "And make fun of you even though you danced better than he did."

Justin's death stunned the community, his classmates especially. For many, this is the first time they're dealing with the death of a peer.

"It's hard to comprehend that he is just gone," said friend Owen Hiller. "That you will never get to see him again in class or hanging out with him. All the stuff we loved to do. It is really hard on everyone."
 
"He was a great person, this shouldn't have happened to him," said friend T'ion Jackson. "He's in God's hands now."

Justin played football for Walled Lake Western. His teammates took to the 50-yard line during Wednesday's vigil a final break for a fallen warrior.

"I am going to miss Justin. He was a great outstanding football player," said friend Kyree Flowers. "He never had any negative energy, he always brought positive energy. When you were down he was always there to bring you up."

"He just lit up the room," said friend Brendan Martin. "He just put a smile on everybody's face."

And it was their stories and memories of Justin that put a smile on his mother's face. Their support is working wonders for Justin's grieving family.

"I woke up this morning and just said I can't do this, I don't want to do this," said Justin's mother, Pattie Warner-Lee. "I just want to lay down and shut off the phone and go to sleep. When I came here tonight I got a second wind. I know for him I have to go out and spread his love."

She said that Justin hugged, kissed her and told her that he loved her before he left the house Monday and was killed in that hit-and-run.

The accused hit-and-run driver, 21-year-old Miguel Cerda, was arrested hours after the crash in Lansing. He's expected to be arraigned on charges Thursday.