JERSEY SHORE -- A community in Lycoming County hopes to raise awareness about bike safety after a 12 year old died in a bicycle accident last year.
Calvert Street in Jersey Shore may never look the same to Corporal Brian Fioretti.
"I don't think anyone anticipated what they were going to see when they got here on scene" said Fioretti.
Back in September, 12-year-old Jacob Walters was thrown from his bicycle and killed. He rode out of an alleyway and crashed into the side of an SUV driving down Calvert Street.
"He had black on that day. We would never have thought not to wear black. I mean it was still daylight," said Amanda Walters, Jacob’s mother.
Although Jacob usually wore a helmet that day he did not.
"It's just hard," said Robert Walters Jr., Jacob’s father.
Support for the Walters is really piling up. Dozens of helmets and bike safety equipment has been donated in Jacob's memory for a bike safety event in Jersey Shore this weekend.
“If a child comes without a helmet we are going to make sure they leave with a helmet," said Fioretti.
11-year-old Jon Houtz used to ride his bike home from school with Jacob. He helped put together Jacob's Bike Safety Fair.
"We have elbow pads and knee pads," said Houtz.
At the event this Saturday kids can have their bikes and helmets inspected and ride through obstacle courses. If you don't have a bike don't worry, volunteers are bringing extras.
"I’ve been picking it up piece-by-piece. Seeing it all together at once. It's awesome," said Bradley Curtis, a volunteer.
"That was his joy, riding his bike,” said Jacob’s father.
"I hope the donations keep coming in, and I thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts," said Jacob's mother.
Jacob's Bike Safety Fair is set for Saturday at the Jersey Shore pool on Thompson Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.
