GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- After his teenage son was killed while texting and driving, the father of 17-year-old Jacob Freybler is hoping his warning to other teens will prevent another death.
Freybler's father along with Kenowa Hills High Schools has set up a scholarship fund in his honor, and said that the Grand Rapids teen's death serves as a reminder how quick someone can loose their life to distracted driving.
Jacob's father Jim Freybler said that the past few months seem like a blur.
"You try to work for a new normal and the new normal is minus one right now," said Freybler.
Freybler said that his son Jacob came into the world a fighter, after being born several weeks premature.
" To be here for Christmas. So, he came in early. They found he had one kidney, so he wasn't suppose to survive for a couple days. He beat that," said Freybler.
Freybler said that following the death of his son Jacob, the healing process consists of taking it one day at a time.
"A bad day is alone looking at the picture, missing the hug," said Freybler.
Jacob was killed after his vehicle veered into oncoming traffic while driving on 8th Avenue near Lincoln Street in Tallmage township on the night of June 18, 2014. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said that Jacob was texting at the time of the crash. Jacob's friends came out to honor him the night after his death outside the fast food restaurant he worked at.
"His last words to the two people he was texting were four words long. That was enough time to get over the center line and hit somebody head on," said Freybler.
Making t-shirts, bracelets and starting a scholarship fund in Jacob's honor, Freyberg said that he's spent the time since Jacobs death warning his son's peers; teenagers unaware of the real consequences that come along with texting and driving.
"A lot of people are doing it. If you want to continue to do it, we need more organ donors. That's about the easiest pay to put it," said Freybler.
This Friday's Kenowa Hills High School football game will be dedicated to Jacob.
His father Jim will be there raising money for his son's memorial scholarship. He will also be handing out petition forms, asking teens to sign, pledging to not text and drive.
If you would like to donate to the scholarship, you can send your donation to the Kenowa Hills School Administration Office at 2325 4 Mile Road, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49544.
