Funeral Held For 10-Year-Old Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver
ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - A 10-year old Arlington boy was laid to rest Monday as friends and family celebrated the fifth grader with a golden heart.
Tavian Joseph Sabur, or T.J., as he was called, died on September 2, after a suspected drunk driver crashed into the car he was riding in.
"T.J. was intelligent. He was funny, he was full of life and energy," family friend Henry McClellon recalled.
The Moore Funeral Home in Arlington was filled with the young boy's family, friends, teachers and classmates. They came with heavy hearts to remember Tavian and his love for life.
"He was so kind and giving - always willing to share even his snack, usually his fishies, or something his mom thought was semi-healthy," friend Molly Dempsey said to mourners.
Tavian's mother, Tina Reese, was driving when Arlington police say 29-year old Walter Chidyausiku blew through a four-way stop sign and hit their car. Reese suffered non-life threatening injuries; Tavian died the following day at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth.
"My brother's death is not fair," sister Camille Cherry tearfully eulogized. "It never will be fair. He was only 10 years old, 10."
The boy with the winning smile, charm and charisma wanted to be an NBA player. He excelled at sports and in the classroom. T.J.'s impact on those he knew was evident by the turnout and in the emotional words shared by his sister.
"T.J., you made the world a better place. You made my world a better place and are now making Heaven the best. You're the best little brother a girl could ever have," Cherry said. "He didn't get a chance to really live. He never got to experience a first kiss, a first heartbreak, high school, prom, graduation, college."
While T.J.'s life was tragically cut short family and friends said he touched their lives and will never be forgotten. "Let's remember the good times. Let's remember the smiles. Let's remember the jokes on his classmates, his teammates that got to know him," McClellon said.
Accused drunk driver Walter Chidyausiku is being held without bond in the Tarrant County Jail. He's charged with Intoxication Manslaughter.
