The family of Jaedon Griffin, an 18-year-old recent Sandalwood High School graduate, is mourning his loss after a motorcycle crash on the Mathews Bridge on June 22.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Griffin was riding westbound in the left lane when his motorcycle collided with the back of an SUV traveling in the same direction.
Jaedon Griffin was described by loved ones as wise beyond his years.
“I felt like he was ahead of his time. He was an old man in a young body,” his mother, Jakeia Griffin said in a sit-down interview with Times-Union news partner First Coast News. “He was the baby of the bunch and eager to work.”
Griffin recalled the heartbreaking moment she saw the crash site while returning home that day.
“I saw the motorcycle, and my heart sank because I said, it looks like my son’s motorcycle,” she said. “It seemed unreal, surreal. I was expecting my phone to ring because I had called him once I saw the bike, and I was like, OK, he’s going to call me back, because of course, he didn’t answer. Like, OK, I’m expecting any moment to see his name come across my phone.”
The family is now holding tight to memories, photos and the impact Jaedon left behind.
He was a basketball player, a dedicated employee at Costco and actively involved in the nonprofit 5000 Role Models.
His older sister, Shaila Nathan, says words can’t capture how incredible he was as a person.
“I feel like I could really talk about Jaedon for a long time,” she said. “He just was a pretty awesome person. He still made his impact, and I think he made his mark the way that he should have.”
Through their grief, the family leans on faith and community support.
“God is with me, God has brought me here and God is in the midst of this situation,” his mother said.
The Griffins want the community to remember Jaedon as a loving son, brother and uncle.
“Wrap your arms around the young people, hold them tight, guide them, direct them even if they mess up,” his mother urged.
The family expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from neighbors, friends, and fellow church members. They say every call and text has brought comfort, and they are asking for continued prayers as they navigate this difficult time.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: ‘My heart sank’: Mother describes seeing son’s motorcycle crashed on Mathews Bridge
Reporting by Sydney Dishon / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
