Kill Devill Hills, NC - Scotty Blumenthal can't shake the "what if" after his daughter, Bri, was hit by an SUV while riding her bike home on Nov. 23. She wasn't wearing her helmet.
"That's one of those things as a parent you're going to have to live through for the rest of your life," said Blumenthal.
Medics flew Bri to Sentara Norfolk General, but she died on Thanksgiving.
"At 12 years old, you think your kids are invincible, and they think they are," said Blumenthal. "I just didn't expect it."
The driver of the SUV ran the red light before hitting Bri, according to police. Doris Younts is charged with death by motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, and failure to stop at a red light.
Blumenthal called this all a terrible accident.
"[Younts] is already suffering. I don't want her to suffer more. I don't want to be the person that brings something down on her. That's not what my daughter was about."
The Outer Banks community has rallied around the family, donating thousands for medical expenses. On Thursday night, dozens bought pizzas at Slice in support of a foundation in Bri's honor. The goal is to raise awareness for kids to wear helmets, something they might forget. "It just becomes one of those things. Life just gets in the way and you forget to do those things that might save a life one day," said Blumenthal, who is also collecting helmets to donate.
Bri may get a chance to save a life as well. Her father had her organs donated, meaning a part of her will live on in someone else.
"Seeing everything that's happened, the fact that [Bri] can be that legend. To me, she's not just my daughter anymore, she's the daughter of the Outer Banks."
