ELYRIA, Ohio — Aiden Helland is smiling again nearly two weeks after an accident on Burns Road caused him serious injuries and took the life of his friend, 9-year-old Bryant Bartlett, known as "Tide."
"[Aiden] gave all the officers hugs and thank you's, and it just meant the world to us that we could do something positive for him," said Elyria police captain James Welsh.
The officers gifted him a new bike and helmet thanks to Walmart, and new bike locks, lights and other safety items, thanks to Lorain County Public Health's Safe Routes to School program.
"Aiden is such a brave young boy for, you know, standing there and being willing to ride again. You know, that's just an amazing display of his resiliency," said Kat Bray, population health supervisor at LPH.
Loved ones say Tide's smile lit up a room and spread joy everywhere he went.
"He'd do anything to make anybody laugh and no matter the situation," said his mom, Sarah Jobst.
She knows her son the most, but so do many others.
"Just the amount of outpouring and support and love. That reminds me that he touched so many lives in his short nine years," Sarah said.
Still, it's beyond challenging to imagine life without her little boy.
"I was literally, I mean, less than 50 yards away from him and I couldn't save him. It's heartbreaking, you know, I'd trade my place with him in a moment," Sarah said.
There is no way to take the pain away, but Sarah says she takes comfort in knowing Tide did the right thing that day.
"I know his heart and I know without a shadow of doubt that he did exactly as he was taught," she said.
Yet, there will always be lessons to learn in his honor.
"For years in this country, we've been saying that safety and roadway safety is everyone's responsibility," Bray said.
There's healing happening, too. First, through Tide's legacy. And also, through Aiden who will carry Tide with him forever.
If you'd like to help the family of Tide Bartlett, a GoFundMe has been set up in his honor. Click HERE to donate.
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