Campus teenager killed on bike, family devastated

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Campus High School student Daniel Collier was killed while riding his bike Wednesday evening. His mother said he loved sports and his family and didn't have a bad bone in his body. She said it was difficult to understand why this happened to her son.

“We all want our baby back, our brother, our cousin,” said Daniel’s mother, Nicole Collier.

Daniel was riding his bike around 8 p.m. Wednesday when he was hit by a truck a few blocks from his home. Neighbors rushed to help until the ambulance arrived.

Nicole said she thought they were in the clear.

“They took him to the hospital so we thought he was going to be OK, but the damage was just too much and his body just shut down; it was chaos,” she said.

Nicole said the outcry of support had been shocking, adding that Daniel's classmates had come to help build a memorial where the accident took place.

“We met some of his classmates here earlier; they came here, and they did this for him, so we all signed with chalk; he was so loved,” she said.

Daniel's cousin, Mickenzie Rini, decided not to give up her softball game. Instead, she performed in his honor. Her teammates joined her in support.

“I had the opportunity to play; I want to go out there and play for Danny and be that for him, and my whole team puts 15 on his face, LLD on his arms, as well as playing for Danny,” Rini said.

Danny's mother hopes other parents will take time to be with their children.

“I always tell everyone to make memories with your kids because that's all you have. We will have his spirit with us; I wouldn’t wish this on any parent,” Nicole said.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Daniel is cooperating with investigators.

The Wichita Police Department said it is reviewing all evidence to understand what led to the collision.

A GoFundMe has been set up to cover medical and funeral expenses, as well as to support the Collier family during this time.