The dad of a Michigan teenager emotionally recalled their final conversation, which took place less than an hour before his son died.
According to a news release from the Redford Township Police Department, a teen was involved in a crash while driving an ATV on Sunday (March 8).
“The 15-year-old male, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced deceased on the scene,” authorities wrote, noting that an investigation into the accident is still ongoing but that “alcohol and speed are not believed to be a factor.”
Authorities did not confirm the teen’s identity. However, family and local media announced that the victim was James Dylan Burkett, who went by Dylan.
His grieving father, James Burkett, opened up in an interview.
Keep reading to find out more…
Speaking to WXYZ-TV Detroit, James said that he and Dylan had argued about wearing a helmet in their final conversation.
“I got on him real big and bad cause I make him wear his helmet, and he doesn’t like to wear his helmet because he always has his headphones on and he can’t wear his headphones with his helmet,” James said of Dylan.
The dad added that things got heated, but he went back to continue the conversation after stepping away for a moment.
“A few minutes later, I went in there and told him ‘Son, the only reason I tell you this is because I love you and I don’t want you to get hurt,’ ” he recalled.
James told the outlet that he dozed off, and his son drove off in the ATV. The fatal crash happened within a half hour.
The concerned dad said that he rushed to the scene of the accident and was “screaming, ‘Where’s my son?’ ”
“And someone come to me [and asked], ‘Are you the dad?’ And by the time I turned around, seen him,” he said, describing the situation as “the worst parent’s dream.”
Dylan‘s crash happened two days after his 15th birthday.
His dad is having a hard time coming to terms with the crash.
“I love him, man. I’ll always love him. And this ain’t real. I mean, I feel like I’m gonna wake up in that chair any minute, you know, and he’s gonna be right there and everybody is going to want to go ride,” he said.
A GoFundMe was created for Dylan‘s funeral by his aunt. At the time of publishing, it’s nearing its $10,000 goal.
Just Jared reached out to the Redford Township Police Department for an update on the investigation.