On Landon Coleman’s last day at Vinton County Middle School in Southeastern Ohio, he was on his way to basketball practice when tragedy struck. As his father, James Coleman, paused their car to turn, they were rear-ended by a speeding driver — sending them into oncoming traffic. A second vehicle struck the passenger side, where Landon was sitting, killing the 13-year-old instantly.
In total, four cars were involved in the crash. The only fatality was Landon. And his father was severely injured — so much so that he was life-flighted from the scene.
“I’m speaking on Landon’s story to keep his memory alive,” said father James Coleman. “The best way to describe Landon would be a funny jokester. It didn’t matter who you were; Landon would be cracking jokes with you. Landon’s passing has affected both family and the community by leaving a missing piece in everyone’s life.”
Prior to his passing, Landon’s future scintillated in promise with his active involvement in basketball, football and cross country. He was also kind-natured and protective, looking out for those who were younger than him like a “mother hen.” His family says he truly loved everyone. 
In Landon’s memory, his family plans to dedicate a Landon Coleman Memorial Scholarship to a student who is in the same graduating class as him, in the year 2029. The family also holds two benefits every year: Landon Coleman Memorial Co-Ed Softball Tournament and the Landon Coleman Memorial Off-Road Ride.
As for repercussions for the speeding driver, they lost their license, are on probation and received a $1000 fine. But when weighing the medical bills — a total of $300,000 — and the immeasurable grief and toll of losing Landon, his family is calling for change.
“If there is one thing I would like to see changed in our laws,” Coleman said, “it would be a higher penalty for distracted drivers when there is a life lost.”
Myra Kirk
Myra Kirk is a journalism student at the University of Colorado Boulder. She previously interned at Bucket List Community Café and is currently an editor for the upcoming Mountain Time Magazine.
