TARPON SPRINGS, Fla — An 18-year-old bicyclist was killed Monday following a crash in Tarpon Springs, police say.
Oni Mercado, 18 of Tarpon Springs, died after the bicycle he was riding was involved in a crash. The crash happened around 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 4 on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and North Avenue.
A 66-year-old man was driving his car westbound when the 2002 Mercury 4-door sedan and Mercado's bike crashed. Mercado was not wearing a helmet, police said.
Mercado was rushed to Advent Health North Pinellas where he died.
His mother, Karly Chirichella, said the last time she saw him was the morning of the tragic accident as she said goodbye before sending him off to school.
Before Chirichella returned home from work, she said Mercado was already gone and went for a bike ride. Moments later, she got a call about her son being hit by a car trying to cross the road.
"I haven't gone down that street," Chirichella said. "I can't bring myself to go down there just yet."
Chirichella told 10 Tampa Bay on Thursday she is working to put together a memorial service for her son while dealing with her grief and financial struggles.
"I know I have this great responsibility on me to see him off properly," she said. "I'm looking for help."
The teen's mother says Mercado wanted to be an auto mechanic when he grew up and that he was already working on cars. He even fixed the bike that he was riding the day of the crash.
Authorities say the 66-year-old driver who hit Mercado was not hurt.
The crash is still under investigation and Tarpon Springs Police are asking anyone who saw what happened to contact Officer Scott Faugno at 727-938-2849.
For those who want to help the family as they make funeral arrangements, you can go to their GoFundMe by clicking here.