‘There are real ramifications’: Family of Jude Strickland urging drivers to slow down in wake of his death

Jude Strickland was doing everything right" on the afternoon of Dec. 1.

He'd finished up class for the day from Templemead Elementary School and was walking home. He stopped at the crosswalk and waited for the crossing guard to give him the go-ahead.

But as he walked into the intersection, he was hit by a pickup truck and critically injured in the collision.

Less than two days later, the 11-year-old Hamilton boy died in hospital early Thursday morning surrounded by his family.

In an emotional plea on Twitter, Jude's aunt and uncle, Erin Strickland and Ryan Butchereit, have asked people to take an extra minute" while driving this holiday season.

Don't be in a hurry, stop at stop signs and red lights. Don't try and just beat the yellow because there are real ramifications," wrote the pair. I have presents already wrapped under my tree for this precious boy ... I will never be able to deliver them."

Strickland and Butchereit said their nephew was doing everything right" before he was hit around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Brandon Aubert, 28, of Hamilton has been charged with dangerous operation causing death in the crash.

Police allege the driver was southbound on Upper Gage when he entered the intersection at Royal Vista Drive, running a red light. Once in the intersection, police allege he also failed to stop for a crossing guard at the pedestrian crossing on the south side of the intersection.

Jude was crossing Upper Gage westbound on Royal Vista when he was hit while walking home from school.

What is done is done but I know we can turn this situation and moment into a strong message that can continue to help less and less people have to live through this type of life-altering moment," wrote the pair.

It's just so unreal'

Just moments before the crash, Jude had been walking with a few friends from Templemead Elementary School, including Jayden Benner.

In an interview with The Spectator on Thursday, Jayden's mom, April Benner, said the two of them had waved goodbye to one another just seconds prior.

Suddenly, April said her son heard the crossing guard screaming for someone to call 911. Jayden didn't know what had happened but he saw Jude lying in the road, said April. He ran home and got his dad to call for help.

He was pretty shaken up about it," said April.

The days following the collision have been tough" for Jayden, she said. He's woken up with nightmares, stayed home from school and he's had trouble going outside - they live just near the intersection.

He can't even take my dog outside," said April. He's remembering that whole scene of how it happened."

April said Jude and Jayden were in the same class before they were split up this year. In a video sent to The Spectator, Jayden described Jude as always happy and pretty funny, too."

He's in shock," she said. He doesn't believe that Jude is actually gone."

Jayden has also connected with one of the school's social workers to help cope, said April.

It's just so unreal," she said. It's not something any parent would want to go through."

Disbelief and shock'

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) social worker Leanne Wood said there is an overall feeling of heaviness and sadness" around the east Mountain school.

The board launched its critical incident response team to Templemead in the aftermath of the crash, said David Hoy, manager of social work services for HWDSB.

The school has set up breakout rooms where students can speak with social workers as a group or on their own. They're also assisting teachers and staff - including virtual learners - who may be grieving, said Hoy.

A lot of people are in disbelief and shock," said Wood. Everyone has just been really caring, supportive, and being kind to their classmates and just really focusing on taking care of one another."

Wood said Jude and two of his brothers attended the school. He was also a lunch monitor and other students at the school go to West Highland Church with the Stricklands.

Jude has been described as a jokester," said Wood, who has heard stories of times he made other students laugh.

He was definitely a kind and caring boy. He was just really loved in this community," said Wood. This will be a huge impact on this school."

The crash happening at the nearby crosswalk has also been destabilizing," said Hoy.

More parents have been driving their kids to school and the principals have been at the crosswalk in the following days to help students, said Wood.

Children aren't supposed to die, it rips our hearts out," said Hoy. It's just such a tremendous loss for us in the community."

Support for the Stricklands

To help support the Stricklands, the Benner family is collecting gift cards to give the family to purchase takeout or groceries. Those interested in donating can email aprilcaverly@hotmail.com.

There is also an ongoing GoFundMe campaign set up for the family. As of 3 p.m. on Friday, more than $80,000 had been raised.

A funeral service for Jude has been planned for Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. It will be livestreamed at WestHighland.org, according to the church.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com