GhLinks Media
A mom is mourning after her son, 14-year-old Tristian Billman was hit and killed by a car in Cooper Township Friday, Dec. 29.
The crash happened around 6:00 a.m. Friday when Tristan Billman and his 15-year-old girlfriend were walking in a southbound lane of North Riverview Drive near Van Buren Street, just north of Kalamazoo.
Michigan State Police say a southbound vehicle traveling in the same lane hit the teen.
Billman’s family says he pushed his girlfriend out of the way just before he was struck.
The uninjured driver of the vehicle was a 51-year-old Allegan man.
Tristan Billman was a freshman at Comstock High School. “(O)ur students and staff who knew Tristan are devastated,” Comstock Public Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Thoenes wrote in a Saturday letter to district families.
The superintendent said the district would implement a five-day response plan to offer emotional support and grief counseling starting January 8 when students return from winter break.
A GoFundMe account has been started to help the family cover funeral costs.
Tristan Billman Obituary
Tristan was born on May 7, 2009, in Elkhart, Indiana.
Tristan’s early years were filled with the laughter and warmth of a close-knit family.
His mother, Abbigail Allen, and father, Russell Blackwell, nurtured his free-spirited nature, encouraging him to pursue his many passions. Alongside his siblings Izzy, Aubrie, Christopher, and Mason, Tristan’s days were filled with adventures and cherished moments that would become the fabric of their family’s story.
He also shared a special bond with his cousins Zeke, Bryson, and Rhiley, and his adoring grandparents and great-grandparents, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and a legion of loyal friends.
Tristan’s life in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was marked by his fervent love for life and his commitment to his education as a freshman at Comstock High School.
Despite his young age, Tristan had already left an indelible mark on his community, touching lives with his laughter and genuine care for others.
