Father of 8-year-old killed by car doesn't blame driver; Memorial vigil to be held

JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. — Family and friends of the 8-year-old boy who was killed Friday night in Jefferson Hills when a car hit him while he was skateboarding will remember the boy with a memorial Sunday night.

Connor Zink's father, Jeremy Zink, said Connor had asked him if he could stay out just a few minutes past his 9 p.m. curfew to skate with a friend.

Moments later, Zink said Connor went zipping down Gilmore Drive just across the street from his grandfather's house when a car came up and hit him.

"I not only lost my son. I lost my best friend," said Zink. "This is the worst feeling in the world, losing a son."

Zink said when he saw his son's lifeless body, the scene just didn't seem real.

"I just couldn't believe it was him. It hasn't hit me yet," said Zink.

Police said the man who struck Connor, a neighbor from up the street, immediately started CPR, but the boy later died in the hospital from his injuries.

"I told him we'll get through this together," said Zink of the man who hit and killed Connor. "I don't blame him. It was an accident."

In fact, Zink said his family and the man who killed his son spent time arm in arm on Saturday in front of a makeshift memorial for Connor.

"I don't understand. You see crosses like this and you feel bad. You never think it's going to happen to you, someone you love so much," said Kathleen Zink, Connor's grandmother.

Connor's family said a memorial vigil will be held Sunday night in Clairton Park at 8:30 p.m.

WPXI