JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — The family of a 12-year-old boy killed in a collision while riding his bike earlier this year is asking for the community's help after his memorial was ruined.
Sean Stephenson was killed in May of this year. His family and friends held a celebration of life for him shortly after, leaving behind a memorial near the corner of Simms Street and Ken Caryl Avenue.
Last Friday, Sean's father, Thomas Stephenson, stopped by his son's memorial, like he does every week, only to find it had been ruined.
"I came by last Friday. The bike was gone. I was completely devastated," Stephenson said.
The "ghost bike" left behind for Sean had been taken, Sean's picture frames broken, and flowers ruined.
"It is upsetting because it's a memorial to my son," Stephenson said. "It's so representative of Sean and what he meant to us and the community, so to have it destroyed is unfortunate, but we'll rebuild again."
Stephenson said the memorial isn't only a place he and his family can go to remember Sean — it's a spot the community can use as a reminder of something else.
"It's a reminder to the community to drive carefully, drive safely," he said.
