CLEARWATER, Fla. — Family and friends gathered for a vigil to remember 15-year-old Ethan Weiser Thursday, a Largo High School student fatally hit and killed while walking to his school bus last week.

What You Need To Know

  • A vigil was held Thursday night in memory of Ethan Weiser

  • The 15-year-old Largo High student died last week after being fatally struck by a car on the way to his bus stop

  • Pedestrian safety was a topic brought up at the vigil

"He enjoyed his life to the fullest — he loved music, he loved singing," said Ethan's grandfather, Charles Croasmun.

Ethan was one of 18 cousins, and family members said he enjoyed anime and earned the nickname "King of the Remote" because he liked to control what was on the TV. 

"This 15-year-old kid just loved helping, loved his family and loved God," said Ethan's uncle, Philip Chevere.

The teen was hit before the sun came up on Aug. 26 while crossing an unlit stretch of Belleair Road at 6:45 a.m. The executive director of Forward Pinellas, the agency responsible for countywide transportation planning, said the crash is a reminder of work left to do on roadways.

"We have to look at a lot of things," said Whit Blanton. "We have to look at slowing people down on our roadways. We have to look at better lighting. We have to look at crosswalks. We have to look at redesigning our roads, if that's what it takes to make people safer."

Croasmun said he'd also like to see Pinellas County Schools take a second look at all bus stops in the county and reevaluate if any should be moved to improve safety.