A close-knit Kent Island community mourns the loss of one of its youngest members. Jake Sloan was killed Saturday in a car accident. His family is devastated and those that knew him rallied around them at a special vigil Monday night.
Family and friends say Jake was a special person who touched so many in his short life.
"He was really somebody special and he lived every single day to help other people," said brother, Danny Sloan.
An older brother describes the strong legacy of a 12-year-old boy.
"You can tell from all the support that he was loved in this area. It was unintentional, he was just being himself."
Sloan loved music and was a beloved 7th grader at Matapeake Middle School. He was killed in a car accident Saturday.
"Somebody ran a red light and it was devastating," said Sloan.
"I loved him so much he was a wonderful kid and he was going to grow up to be a wonderful person and it’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later," said Sloan's sister-in-law, Jordan Sloan.
Jake touched a lot of lives in his own short life. His friends and classmates remember him as a great friend.
"We were just with him a couple days before that happened and he’s just the nicest person I ever met," friend Morgan Phipps, told WMAR 2 News through tears.
Sloan's principal couldn’t be more proud of him.
"Absolutely phenomenal student. Jacob was not only gifted in his social ability to work with kids who needed a friend, he was right there with them," said Lois McCoy, Matapeake Middle School principal.
Those that knew Jake best, hope this kind of community will continue in his memory.
"I want people harness this and live their lives with this type of love every day," Sloan said.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Matapeake Middle School music department. Police say charges are pending.
