12-Year-Old Boy Killed In Stamford Hit-And-Run Remembered For Friendly, Welcoming Nature

STAMFORD, CT — Brisley Reyes, the 12-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his mini bike in Stamford last week, is being remembered by those who knew him for his big heart and friendly and welcoming nature.

Mark Tripolitsiotis was Reyes' sixth grade math teacher this past school year at Dolan Middle School. He also had Reyes in homeroom every morning and afternoon, and during the school's "Heart period," where students and teachers bond and build relationships through activities and games.

"Brisley was the kind of kid that every teacher wanted to have. He was friendly, he was polite, he was welcoming," Tripolitsiotis told Patch in a phone interview on Friday. "Middle school can be tough trying to fit in, and no matter who it was, whether it was his best friend or someone who he never talked to, Brisley always welcomed everybody."

Tripolitsiotis said his favorite times with Reyes were simply just talking to him at the end of the day before school let out.

"He was an old soul. He always reminded me a lot of my own children because he had a very good heart. Just talking with him was just great," Tripolitsiotis said.

As a student, Reyes worked hard and took on every challenge he faced. He thrived in group work, and his classmates loved being with him.

Tripolitsiotis often had a Snapple to drink at the end of each school day, and on one occasion, Reyes went up to him and said, "Hey, Mr. Trip, you're not going to throw that away, are you?" Tripolitsiotis recalled.

"I was like, 'No, of course not. Why?' He said, 'Do you mind if I take that for my collection so I can recycle it and start making some money for a future business?' I said, 'Brisley, I'm happy to support you in any and every way.' Every day, he'd be like, '10 cents is 10 cents!' He was always looking for ways to better himself."

A vigil was held near the scene of the crash on Aug. 5. Around 300 people gathered to remember Reyes and grieve together, said Tripolitsiotis, who spoke briefly.

His message was simple: be like Brisley.

"Be that good person, be that leader when it's not easy, especially in middle school," Tripolitsiotis said.

Reyes, who was always very talkative, came into school one day and sat by himself in the corner of the classroom.

Tripolitsiotis went up to him and asked if he was OK.

"He said, 'Hey, Mr. Trip. You know, sometimes you just need a moment in the morning when you're tired.' And that became Brisley's corner," Tripolitsiotis said.

This coming school year, Tripolitsiotis plans on making a sign for the corner to honor Reyes' memory: Brisley's Corner.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up for the Reyes family, and it has garnered nearly $35,000 as of Friday afternoon.

A Stamford native, Tripolitsiotis said he's proud to see the community come together and support each other.

"I'm just proud to be associated with such amazing people to give him the sendoff he deserves," Tripolitsiotis added. "It was not fair. He was taken way too soon from us."

Reyes' father, Brisley Noe Reyes, spoke at the vigil on Tuesday and said he knows his son "has gone straight to heaven and that he is with God," the Stamford Advocate reported. But he also acknowledged the pain of the tragedy.

"And right now, my heart is broken," he said in Spanish, according to the Advocate.

The crash unfolded in the 300 block of Courtland Avenue on Aug. 2 at approximately 8:47 p.m., according to Stamford police.

Reyes was riding his mini bike southbound on Courtland Avenue with a family member who was on a scooter, police said. The GoFundMe fundraiser, which was started by Reyes' cousin, Olga, notes Reyes was with his father at the time.

Before the crash, Reyes pulled out of the travel lane and over to the shoulder, police said.

As he was sitting on the side of the road, a passing vehicle struck the mini bike, causing Reyes to be thrown into the yard of a private residence, police said. The vehicle, which police believed to be a silver 2003-2005 silver Honda Accord, fled the scene.

Two neighbors who lived in the area heard the collision and came out to perform CPR until the fire department and EMS personnel took over.

"Despite a valiant effort by neighbors, the Stamford Fire Department, Stamford EMS and Stamford Hospital ED personnel, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Stamford Hospital," police said.

Olga Reyes told NBC Connecticut the boy had just received the mini bike for his birthday and was excited to use it.

According to Olga Reyes, the boy was wearing a helmet and was on his way to church when the crash occurred. The bike was also outfitted with lights, NBC Connecticut reported

On Aug. 3, police announced they identified a suspect and the vehicle involved in the crash.

The Stamford Police Department's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (CARS) obtained a search and seizure warrant for the vehicle.

The suspect vehicle was located and removed from the suspect's home, and it's now in the custody of the Stamford Police Department, police said.

The suspected driver, a 41-year-old Stamford resident, would not speak to officers without an attorney present, police noted. The man's identity is not being released at this time, and he has not yet been charged.

Police have not released any updates since. An inquiry to Sgt. Jeffrey Booth of the Stamford Police Department's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad went unanswered this week.

Police have noted with similar cases in the past these investigations take time to come together due to the forensic analysis that needs to be done.

The SPD said in its most recent update said it will continue to work with the Stamford Prosecutor's Office in order to conduct a full investigation and obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect operator.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools Dr. Tamu Lucero and Board of Education President Michael Hyman issued a joint statement on the incident last weekend.

"Losing a child is every family's worst nightmare, and we offer our deepest condolences to this young man's parents, siblings, extended family, and friends," the joint statement said in part. "This is a painful loss for Stamford Public Schools and the entire Stamford community."

Dolan Middle School Principal Joseph Claps III sent a letter to the school community following the incident.

"Like so many of you, I am devastated," Claps said. "Brisley was a sweet, kind, and joyful child who I had the privilege of getting to know well during his sixth-grade year. His loss is deeply felt by all of us at Dolan."

Claps said as the new school year approaches, he'll be sharing plans on how the school community will honor Reyes' memory.

Read more from Stamford Advocate and NBC Connecticut