BOISE, Idaho — The Boise community is devastated after 16-year-old Jadin Zurawski died after being hit by a truck Thursday.
People who knew the 16-year-old – family, friends and students who went to school with him – have been mourning his loss. Teens that knew Zurawski put up posters, left flowers and notes for their dear friend at the location of the accident, in hopes to keep his memory alive. Other community members also gathered to give their condolences.
Children's Home Society/Warm Springs Counseling Center Target Care Coordinator, Kayla Reynolds, said the incident "can have an impact in every facet of life" on those who witnessed the accident and knew Zurawski.
"It can affect all areas of life, whether it's just daily living tasks, or just social interactions, and just being out in the community," Reynolds said.
Not only does it impact the family, friends and witnesses, it can have a ripple effect throughout the community.
"Classmates, neighbors, all of those people are impacted because none of us has ever prepared for a child’s death," licensed counselor Jessica Adams said.
One thing that youth counselors and psychologists suggest is to help your child talk through what they saw and what they are feeling. They say the best thing to do for your child in this situation is get professional help.
"Seek out therapeutic services and support in their community,” Reynolds said. “Especially in the schools, there are designated therapists and counselors in the schools to support them."
The Boise School District put a crisis team into place once they found out that Zurawski, a Boise High School student, had passed away.
"That is a team that consists of well-trained, very knowledgeable, highly-professional individuals who are professionals in the areas of counseling, child psychologist and social workers as well," BSD Public Affairs Administrator Dan Hollar said.
The crisis team is available to students, parents and staff members that need or want help regarding this incident.
The Boise School District sent out an email to all Boise High School students, family and staff with information about the crisis team.
Counselors and other resources will be available on Monday, Aug. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will also be available at Boise High through the start of the school year, which begins Wednesday, Aug. 16.
A gofundme has been started for Jadin to help cover funeral expenses.
"We are all heartbroken and looking for something to do to honor his memory, there has been outreach from community members and friends wanting to donate in Jadin’s name, so we are setting up this gofundme to help the family cover funeral expenses," the website states.
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