Calumet City, IL — Katherine Jackson, the mother of Aaron Dunigan, recently accepted a diploma from Thornton Fractional North High School on behalf of her son who was killed in a tragic car accident the night of his prom. Jackson, dressed in a full cap and gown, received a full applause as she courageously walked across the stage during the class of 2015 graduation.
She added, “My son has left a piece of himself inside all of them. Every time I hug one of them, I get a little piece of my baby back.”
Her son, Aaron Dunigan, was an 18-year quarterback on the school’s football team. After graduation, he was hoping to play college football at Southern Illinois University.
He reportly riding with two classmates when the driver, who had been drinking, veered into traffic in an oncoming lane, and collided with a Dodge pickup truck. Dunigan was killed, as was the driver of the truck, Juan Rivera, who was on his way to work.
Meanwhile, the driver of the car, 18-year old David Peden has been charged with DUI causing death and reckless homicide with a motor vehicle.
Dwayne Evans, principal of the high school, told the audience during the graduation, that “as we celebrate the hope and possibility that we have here today in front of us, we also have to celebrate the life and experience of Aaron Dunigan.”
Watch the video below: