MERIDIAN, Idaho — A Meridian High School student died Wednesday after being hit while walking across Ten Mile Road.
The student was struck by a blue GMC pickup truck at Ten Mile Road and Pine Avenue at about 7:40 a.m. and later died at the scene, a spokesperson for the City of Meridian said.
Meridian Police said the driver of the pickup truck was headed north and the student was crossing Ten Mile from the east side to the west.
The Ada County Coroner on Thursday morning identified the victim as a 16-year-old named Keely Binder. The family identifies the teen as a male named Terry Binder.
Terry's father, Joshua Binder, said he was transgender, "and we supported his decisions and respected him for the person he was."
"Day after day, it's going to be a struggle for us. Terry was the best son we could have ever asked for. He had the biggest heart and was loyal to anyone lucky enough to call him a friend," Binder said in a message to KTVB.
The Binder family "could use some help for arrangements and other unexpected expenses during this time," the family posted on the Terry Binder Memorial fundraising page. "Terry was a great friend, an awesome student, and the most wonderful kid any parent could have."
The driver of the pickup was not injured. Police have not yet issued any citations or made any arrests.
The West Ada School District issued a statement about Binder's passing:
"West Ada School District has strong counseling supports for students and staff provided throughout the school year across our 58 schools. We acknowledge that a sudden and unanticipated event can have a major effect on a school community. In response to any sudden or unanticipated event, our district Crisis Team comprised of administrators, specially trained counselors, SROs, and school psychologists, are deployed to a school site to assist and provide supports. The team works to minimize community stress and disruption as the school community processes the news and copes. Immediate, short-term, and long-term supports are all part of the team's response in working with the school to provide continuous supports and resources as needed. As with any sudden event, we share our deepest condolences with our community as we collectively cope and express our sincerest condolences to the family and those affected."
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