Ashley Kidd stood heartbroken at the site where her teenage son was tragically killed earlier this month, surrounded by well-wishers offering their condolences.
On July 11, 16-year-old Aireon Avery, while riding a non-electric scooter, encountered a devastating accident near East Sierra Vista Drive and South Maryland Parkway.
As Avery’s scooter tumbled into the roadway, he was struck by a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, leading to injuries that would later claim his life four days later.
Gathering at the site of the accident on Thursday evening, Kidd and nearly 50 others held a vigil to honor the memory of Avery, a student at Chaparral High School.
“It’s beautiful that all these people came out here tonight,” said Kidd.
She reflected on her son’s impact, stating, “Aireon had so many friends. He had more friends than I even knew. He gave people inspiration.”
According to a news release from the Metropolitan Police Department, Avery may have been performing a stunt as he approached the roadway when the accident occurred.
The driver of the Tahoe, a 33-year-old Las Vegas man, was reportedly not cited by police, and the incident is currently under investigation.
Nardel Trishell, 16, was with Avery at the time of the crash and expressed his grief while speaking about his best friend.
“He was a really funny guy,” Trishell recalled.
He noted that Avery introduced him to the sport of riding scooters and was known for his skill and ability to perform tricks.
Kidd admitted to sometimes worrying about her son’s safety during his stunts.
“He would sometimes roll out fast, and I’d be like ‘boy, slow down,’” she shared.
However, she recognized that for kids his age, taking risks comes naturally. Avery aspired to take his scooter skills to the next level and aimed for a professional career.
The Clark County coroner’s office ruled Avery’s death an accident, attributing it to blunt force injuries.
As of Thursday, a GoFundMe campaign initiated by Avery’s grandmother, Christine Eyink, to assist with funeral costs was steadily gaining support, reaching nearly $1,100 of its $4,500 goal.
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Avery moved to Las Vegas with his mother in 2020.
Plans are underway for another vigil by family members in Ohio, in addition to a private memorial service that is set to take place later.
Trishell reminisced about times spent with Avery selling candy on the Las Vegas Strip, a venture in which Avery excelled due to his natural charm and ability to connect with people.
“He would just be out there selling candy or just be in certain spots like the Strip, and people would just gravitate toward him,” Kidd reflected, recalling her son’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Avery often found himself in the vicinity of large events, whether they were boxing matches or basketball tournaments, active in the local scene.
His engaging personality even led him to encounter notable figures, such as actor Mark Wahlberg, during his ventures.
At the vigil, Kidd wore a custom-made T-shirt featuring a photograph of Avery joyfully holding his younger sister, Leilani, with his bright smile evident in the image.
“I keep showing her pictures of Aireon,” Kidd said, expressing her disbelief over the loss.
Avery is mourned not only by his mother but also by his father, Anthony Avery, his grandmother, great-grandmother, siblings, and numerous relatives.
Kidd emphasized, “He’ll be very missed by a lot of friends.”
With Avery’s life cut short, he became a statistic, marking the 91st traffic-related fatality in Metro’s jurisdiction for 2025.
image source from：reviewjournal
