When I first heard about what happened to sixteen-year-old Elias Kim, it hit me harder than I expected. People in the skateboard community have been talking about it nonstop because he was one of those kids everyone noticed. Even if you never met him, you likely heard his name somewhere.
Elias passed away on a Thursday night after a car accident while he was driving alone on Lake Shore Drive. Police said he was going really fast and was not wearing a seatbelt. It’s tough to imagine how something so quick can change everything like that.
His dad, Jim Kim, shared an emotional message online. I read it a few times because it painted a small picture of who Elias was at home and what he loved. Jim said his son had great taste and a natural eye for things that looked nice. He was really into photography. From what Jim wrote, it felt like Elias had that spark some people are just born with.
Jim also talked about how Elias pursued things with full effort. One summer, he took up soccer and practiced daily until he became excellent. After that, he became interested in boxing and trained hard for it as well. Later, he found skateboarding, and it became his world. I know the feeling because I also got into skateboarding for a bit. I remember how the skate park felt like a second home. You meet people who connect with you in different ways. So I get why it became essential for him to.
A friend named Kambua Chema, who worked with him on a photography project, also posted something very touching. She said she felt blessed to have crossed paths with him, even for a short time. She believed he was meant to do great things. Reading that made me think about how some people leave a strong impression without even trying.
Many people have been posting messages for Elias and his family. Friends, classmates, and coworkers said he was talented, kind, and driven. Messages like “Jim, your words made me cry” and “Elias was an amazing person” keep showing how much he meant to so many people.
I never met Elias, but reading all this makes me feel like I understand what kind of person he was. When someone young with so much to offer is gone just like that, it really shakes you. It also reminds me how important small things like seatbelts or slowing down on the road actually are. Things we think don’t matter can decide everything.
I hope his family and friends find some peace soon. I also hope people keep talking about the good things he did and how he inspired others because that’s the part that stays even after someone is gone. You may also be interested in: Tim Kintz Death News Remembering The Beloved Automotive Trainer And CBU Baseball Alum
