Josiah Grant, 12, killed crossing Route 13 in Bristol remembered as ‘everybody’s child’

Josiah Grant was set to start seventh-grade on Tuesday at Bristol Township’s Neil Armstrong Middle School, where he planned to try out for the track team this year.

Instead, his family and friends are preparing to say goodbye to the 12-year-old who was called lively, rambunctious, curious, funny, athletic, and a born leader who died suddenly Saturday night.

“He was ‘everybody's child’ while attending preschool, as he loved all of the teachers and the administration and they loved him,” Wendy Somers said.

More on Route 13 fatal accident Juvenile killed in fatal accident at Route 13, Beaver Dam Road. What we know

Somers is the owner of The Goddard School in Newtown, where Josiah attended and his mother, Natalie works. She is also the person overseeing an online fundraising campaign through Angellink.com to help his family with funeral and medical-related expenses.

As of Monday it had raised more than $14,000.

The 12-year-old who loved playing Xbox, Roblox and Leggos was fatally injured while riding his bike across Route 13 at Beaver Dam Road, police said.  He would have turned 13 next month.

The Bristol Township School District announced Josiah's death on its website Sunday, and the district will have its crisis team available Tuesday at Armstrong Middle School and throughout the district for staff and students.

"By all accounts, Josiah was a personable and affable young man who was beloved by his family and friends," Superintendent Michael Nitti wrote. "Our condolences and deepest sympathies are extended to all who have been impacted by this tragic incident and loss."

On Monday, Somers recalled Josiah as a child who loved animals including dinosaurs and developed an obsession with the prehistoric creatures while learning about them in preschool.

Listening to music, watching YouTube, and making people laugh, playing Xbox, Roblox and Legos were his favorite things. Dancing, too.

Josiah was a child that was always dancing no matter where he was, Somers said.

“Josiah had one of the biggest hearts imaginable.” Somers said.  “He innately took charge as a leader among friends and tried to take care of any and everyone he was around.”

For the last two years he was a linebacker and wide receiver for the Ewing Junior Blue Devils . On Sunday the New Jersey youth football team honored Josiah during practice, Somers said.

A memorial balloon release in his memory is scheduled for 6 p.m., Sept. 6 at the Venice Ashby Community Center, 5401 Beaver Dam Road.

The center is located a half-mile from the intersection where Josiah was fatally injured.

Bristol Township police have not released an update since early Sunday on its investigation into the accident, which occurred shortly before 9 p.m. at the intersection of Route 13 Pike and Beaver Dam Road.

Josiah was crossing Route 13 headed west on Beaver Dam Road when he was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling south on Route 13, police said.

The pickup truck driver, who was not identified, remained on scene and cooperated with police.

Josiah was transported to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital  where he was later pronounced dead.

Bristol Township police are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact Officer Andrew Stuart, Badge #183, at 267-812-3013.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Josiah Grant, 12, killed crossing Route 13 in Bristol remembered as ‘everybody’s child’