KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A teen has died after he was struck by a car on July 31 as he tried to cross a West Knoxville road.
Thomas Sanders, 19, of Knoxville, was hit on Papermill Drive near Papermill Pointe Way.
Police said they believed Sanders darted across the road between vehicles and into the path of an eastbound 1999 Buick Park Avenue. The driver wasn't charged. Police said she couldn't stop in time.
Sanders died at UT Medical Center.
"After the accident, God let him stay around so everybody could get peace, including me," said his mother, Christina Sanders.
The morning he was hit was a big day for Tommy, his mother says. He had just passed his driving test, something they were told would never be possible.
"He had Tourettes, severe ADHD, a learning deficiency and he's a manic depressive," she said.
Last Tuesday morning, Tommy was running home to tell his mother the good news about his test.
"He looked to the right. There were no cars. He looked to the left. There was a big truck. He waited for the big truck and he forgot to double check the other way and ran across the street. There was nobody at fault. It was an accident. That poor lady that hit him, I tell people to lift her up in prayer. What she's going through, I can't imagine," Sanders said.
Sanders said their church family at Faith Promise has been a constant support.
"Tommy was a great kid. We loved seeing him. As any kid, he had his own struggles, but he'd come in the room with just a giant smile," said high school pastor Michael Wallace.
Youth leaders said they're now focused on helping Tommy's friends heal.
"I think it would be hard, but I think they know where he is and I think that gives them hope. It also tells them life is uncertain and they should live it to the fullest in a Christian way," said small group leader Robert Poteat.
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Thomas Sanders, 19, of Knoxville, was hit on Papermill Drive near Papermill Pointe Way.
"After the accident, God let him stay around so everybody could get peace, including me," said his mother, Christina Sanders.
"Tommy was a great kid. We loved seeing him. As any kid, he had his own struggles, but he'd come in the room with just a giant smile," said high school pastor Michael Wallace.
