A 16-year-old Legacy High School student and band member died when a driver hit him as the boy stood on a median at 112th Avenue and Federal Boulevard on Saturday, Westminster police said.
The driver side-swiped a vehicle in the 10300 block of Federal before running into Joren Coates, who was killed instantly, police said.
Police are investigating and haven’t reached a conclusion on the cause of the accident, police spokeswoman Cheri Spottke said Monday. The woman who was driving the vehicle has not been issued a summons, Spottke said.
“He was an amazing 16-year-old,” said Cherie Coates, a friend of his family but not related. “He had a huge smile on his face every time you saw him.”
Recently, when Cherie had surgery and was unable to make breakfast for her daughter, who also goes to Legacy, Joren Coates brought her a bagel to make sure she got breakfast.
A junior at the school, he played saxophone, and loved music.
“He was in jazz band and wind ensemble,” Cherie said.
He also played in the marching band.
Legacy principal Sara Marx informed parents and students that the accident victim was Coates. “It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Joren has passed away,” she wrote in an e-mail.
“Members of the crisis team will be available on Monday to support students and staff. I am confident that the Legacy family will come together LegacyStrong once again in support of one another.”
The accident is the second tragedy to rattle the Legacy community since September, when a at Denver International Airport, killing the driver and injuring 18 others.
The and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Police don’t believe drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
