Pembroke Pines Holds Street Dedication After Taylor Bishop, Boy Killed By Plane In 2021
PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) - The city of Pembroke Pines held a street dedication Saturday morning in memory of a boy who was killed when a plane crashed into his mother's SUV in 2021.
The stretch of street along Southwest 72nd Avenue and 13th Street will forever be known as Taylor Bishop Avenue.
"In March of '21, we had a terrible tragedy in the City of Pembroke Pines. May of '22, we want to try to make that better," said Mayor Frank Ortis, speaking at the dedication ceremony.
March 15, 2021, Taylor and his mother Kiki Bishop were driving near the North Perry Airport, when a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza plane came crashing down into their car.
Four-year-old Taylor was killed.
The pilot and his passenger also died in the accident.
"It feels just, painfully beautiful to be here and honor Taylor, and making sure everybody knows his legacy was about being 'Taylor tough,' said Kiki Bishop.
Wearing his favorite color green, loved ones came together, along with city officials, and first responders to pay tribute.
"I was told when I was pregnant, it takes a village to raise a child," Bishop said. "And I see it really takes a village to honor one."
The city also dedicated a bench with a plaque under a shady tree.
People brought stuffed animals to donate to the organization Bishop started called Taylor's Teddy Bears. It provides police officers and firefighters with bears to keep in their cars to give to a child in distress.
The idea came from Taylor's favorite companion.
"Riding in the car that day was his favorite bear Chevy," Bishop explained. "While I was at the hospital, my brother-in-law asked if there was anything I needed that could possibly be recovered from the car. My heart sank. I had to ask for my son's bear."
It was a day of joyful memories, but also difficult ones. Bishop said she is glad to know her son's memory will live on.
"A very Happy Mother's Day," Bishop said fighting tears. "Read the book for the tenth time. Let them sit on your lap a little longer. Don't worry about the dishes and the floors. Let them have the dessert, no matter how much of the dinner they didn't eat."