Pittsylvania Co., VA - The family of the 16-year-old boy who died in a car accident Wednesday morning is now speaking out.
State Police officials say Parker Jay Michael Armstrong, nicknamed PJ, died at the scene after he drove into a tree in Pittsylvania County. His 15-year-old passenger was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
PJ was in the JROTC at Tunstall High School, he volunteered at the Mt. Hermon Fire Department, and he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life. He always said he was going into the army and then become a State police officer, but sadly his life ended too soon.
"My heart feels like it is not even there anymore. This will be a big piece of my heart gone forever. Forever," said Jennifer Armstrong, PJ's mother.
Before PJ Armstrong left early for school, he went through his normal routine.
"He kissed us goodbye. I said please be careful, he said I will and he said I love you and he got in the truck and I stood on the porch and watched him pull out of the driveway and up the road he went and that was the last I saw of him," said Armstrong.
But 20 minutes later, his mother Jennifer received a call every parent dreads. State police say PJ lost control of his truck, ran off the road, flipped over and died at the scene against this tree.
"It's hard knowing he is not coming home," said Armstrong.
"I woke up this morning and I thought about going to school and then I looked at that road and I was just waiting on that little blue truck to ride by," said Davey Eanes, PJ's best friend.
PJ could easily be picked out of a crowd for his determination, hardworking attitude, and of course stature.
"He was little. Everybody knew who PJ was and how little he was but his heart was much bigger than him," said Armstrong.
Now this grieving mother has a message for all parents.
"I just want them, like I said, to love them and hug them and tell them how much they mean. Do not take them for granted," said Armstrong.
A candlelight vigil will take place Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the scene of the accident 1300 block of Ridgecrest Drive. They ask that you wear camouflage or green to honor PJ and his love for hunting.
