A teenager who died after being hit by an SUV in Denton is being remembered for his love of life, basketball -- and doing backflips.
Denton police and fire crews responded to the incident on south Loop 288 at McKinney Street Sunday at about 7:30 p.m.
Officials said two teenagers were crossing Loop 288 from east to west on the southern side of the intersection.
One of them, 16-year-old Corey West, was struck by a Jeep that was traveling southbound on Loop 288 in the far right lane.
The driver of the Jeep stopped and remained at the scene. Police said the driver did not appear under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
West was transported to Denton Regional Medical Center where he later died.
He was a sophomore and basketball player at Denton-Guyer High School.
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"I didn't want to believe that it was true," said classmate Ivan Gonzalez. "He was so young. He was always so happy."
Gonzalez, 15, said West was known for his upbeat attitude -- and for doing backflips just about everywhere.
"He was like the sweetest kid ever," Gonzalez said. "He was always laughing, always happy, always making jokes, always making everyone else laugh.
A GoFundMe page set up to help West's family had raised more than $4,000 by Monday evening.
NBC 5's Scott Gordon contributed to this report.
