Manlius (WSYR-TV) -- Not far from where
17-year-old East Syracuse Minoa student and aspiring artist Austin Elmore was hit and killed while riding his bike to summer school sits a memorial of a cross, surrounded by candles and stuffed animals. A sign, decorated with class pictures of Austin, also marks the spot where he was tragically killed Tuesday morning.
Elmore was hit by a car as he tried to cross Kirkville Road on his bicycle. Police are still investigating the accident to determine what exactly happened.
Classmates gathered at the scene of the accident Tuesday night to remember the young man with a bright future. And while some didn’t know him well, Elmore clearly made a lasting impression on his classmates.
“He didn’t deserve to go, so sad,” said classmate, Belma Begzadic. "He was one of the nicest kids I knew. I've never heard anything bad about him."
Classmates say Elmore was quiet, smart and always thinking outside the box and that’s how they’ll remember him, along with the art he leaves behind.
"I remember in seventh grade he used to draw during class, like doodle on his papers. Like some people can doodle, but then there's like, good doodle. That's him,” said ESM senior, Danielle Douglas.
Over the years, Austin’s doodles evolved into prize winning artwork. One piece in particular stood out from all the rest.
“He did a self portrait or something and it looked just like him. I thought he took a picture. It was awesome. It was amazing,” said classmate, Rebecca Dejohn.
It seems Austin, known for being a sharp thinker, was also a big help in the classroom.
“He’s basically the reason I passed chemistry, because I’m so bad at chemistry,” said Belma Begzadic.
English classmate Maggie Kelly said, "He made it so much easier to get by because it was just really hard to get by in that class and he made it funny and awesome and you couldn't ask for more."
Elmore’s classmates say he leaves behind a twin brother, an older brother and his mother and father.
The driver of the car that hit Elmore was released from the hospital with minor injuries and has not yet been identified. An investigation continues.
Counseling services will be available for students and staff who knew Elmore from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. all week at the high school.
