Hundreds of residents gathered outside of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club in Newhall to honor the life of a Valencia teenager who was killed Tuesday after being struck by a truck on the 405 Freeway.

Photo by Michael Brown/KHTS News.

Hundreds of candles lit up the Newhall Park as friends, neighbors, teachers and family gathered to honor the life of Michael “Mehow” Lodl, a 17-year-old Hart High student who was killed earlier that week on the 405 Freeway.

“Our lives will forever be transformed by both knowing Mehow and by losing him,” Lizabeth Bunkell, who helped organized Friday’s vigil, told the assembled crowd.

The park was full of Lodl’s friends and teachers, as well Hart District Superintendent Mike Kuhlman and Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth.

“Some of the things that we have remembered about him is his amazing smile, and his eyes,” Kerri Mitchell, a teacher at Hart High who had Lodl in her honors pre-calculus class, told the assembled crowd. “He had beautiful eyes, and I knew that he would just be a great student. And he was.”

Photo by Michael Brown/KHTS News.

Several of Lodl’s friends shared some memories they had of him, including his love for rap music, video games, and Star Wars.

“We left to go see the new Star Wars movie at the theater, and you were super excited to see it,” one of his friends recounted as he read a letter he wrote to Lodl in front of the crowd. “When the movie was over, and the credits were rolling, I looked at him and I said, ‘Hey man, what did you think?’ And he said, “I saw it yesterday, I was just messing with you.'”

Saugus High football coach Jason Bornn, who’s son grew up with Lodl, encouraged all the students in attendance to allow themselves to grieve, and to not get “caught up asking yourselves ‘what if?'”

“The bottom line is this: the fact that you were in Mehow’s life was enough,” Bornn said. “So when those thoughts start creeping into your head, of what you ‘should’ have done or what you ‘could’ have done, you need to push it to the curb.”

Those who attended the vigil also had the opportunity to write a message on a poster, that is set to be given to the Lodl family.

“Love on each other,” Bornn said in closing. “Support on each other, and let’s keep Mehow’s memory alive with the love that we have for each other.”

Photo by Michael Brown/KHTS News.

The fatal incident was originally reported at about 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7 on the 405 Freeway near Victory Boulevard in Van Nuys, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) West Valley Office.

When emergency personnel arrived on the scene, it was found that Lodl had succumbed to his injuries after being struck by a truck, according to a CHP report.

“Upon further investigation, it appears (the teen) parked his vehicle on the right shoulder of I-405 southbound, exited his vehicle, and intentionally ran into traffic,” the CHP report reads.

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Lodl was later identified as the victim of the crash by officials with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to provide financial support for the unexpected costs the Lodl family may face during this time. As of Friday night, the page had raised over $5,000.

“There are no words to describe the loss felt by all who knew and loved him,” Bunkell, who also organized the GoFundMe page, wrote. “More than anything, Michael was a loving and cherished son and brother.  It would be hard to find a closer family.  He will truly be missed by all.”

To donate to the GoFundMe page, click here.

Photo by Michael Brown/KHTS News.

See Related: Santa Clarita Mental Health Experts Discuss Suicide Prevention

Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:

• 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
• 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
• 661-296-4444 for the Way Out Recovery SCV 
• 661-288-4800 for the Santa Clarita Valley Mental Health Center
• 661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project

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