SEQUIM — A Sequim family and their friends are grieving the loss of 12-year-old Isaac Smith.
Isaac died Sunday after a truck hit him Saturday night on the Rosedale Bridge outside Vancouver, British Columbia.
He is the son of Josh and Teresa Smith, who own Sequim Electric, and the grandson of Ron and Jeri Smith, also longtime Sequim residents.
A celebration of Isaac’s life will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Dungeness Community Church, 45 Eberle Lane off Sequim-Dungeness Way. Isaac’s sister, Adalie, has asked that loved ones wear white to the memorial service and reception.
Isaac was on vacation en route to a family gathering with his parents last weekend and, as they were traveling through Agassiz, east of Vancouver, the lid of their camper van’s rooftop storage bin flew off, police told the CBC News of Canada.
The Smiths turned their car around and stopped on the bridge, police said. Isaac got out to retrieve the lid, and a semitrailer struck him.
‘Happened very fast’
“It all happened very fast,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Lea-Anne Dunlop told the CBC.
“There was just no time to react. It doesn’t appear to be anything anyone could have done at that point.”
Isaac was airlifted to a Vancouver hospital in critical condition Saturday night, and lived until Sunday.
Police said they are not considering charges against the truck driver, according to the CBC report.
Isaac was home-schooled, and took joy in interests that ranged from bike riding to composing piano music, said his father, Josh Smith. He loved reading, photography, playing on the beach, building forts, fishing, juggling, bird-watching — especially eagles — and the color blue.
He was part of the Dungeness Community Church Youth Group, and has prayed with his family since he was just 2 years old, his father said.
Isaac always asked questions about God, trying to wrap his mind around spiritual truths, Josh said, adding that a month ago while working with his grandfather in the garden, Isaac spoke about heaven and how cool it would be.
Lynn Elliott, who works with Isaac’s grandmother at the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, heard the news of the death from Jeri Smith late Saturday night.
‘Hearts are broken’
“It’s extremely somber around here,” Elliott said.
“Isaac was just a sweet boy. Our hearts are just broken.”
“He was a really good kid,” said Stephen Rosales, whose daughter, Elizabeth, appeared with Isaac in the Dungeness Community Church production of “A Christmas Carol” last December.
Isaac played one of Bob Cratchit’s sons, while Elizabeth played his younger sister.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a fund set up in the name of Ron Smith and Isaac Smith at Sound Community Bank. Messages may also be sent to loveforisaac@nikola.com.
________
Sequim-Dungeness Valley Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
