Did you know Kevin Robinson-Barajas?
More is emerging on this young man. The AZ Star now reports:
Robinson-Barajas was remembered at school Friday as an “affable young man” who was well-liked and had lots of friends. His interests included playing guitar and physics.
His student identification picture describes Kevin perfectly, according to his global studies teacher Robin Batty.
Donning a tie-dye shirt and two beaded necklaces, Kevin was “easy going and pleasant,” she said.A student in the Gate Program for gifted and talented students, Robinson-Barajas was a major contributor in global studies and had a broad knowledge of world and international affairs, Batty said.
Batty is Kevin’s first hour teacher and said she made note of it when Kevin didn’t show up because he was rarely absent. She learned later in the morning of what had occurred.
“I was devastated to hear of this tragedy and the loss to our class,” she said. “He was good natured and seem to enjoy school. We will certainly miss Kevin in our day to day lives.”
It is particularly poignant to me that he was killed just two days after a “bike box” safety lane was installed at Grant and Mountain. I hope we can get one installed at the Fort Lowell intersection now, too. But it will be too late for Kevin and his family.
What a terrible, terrible story.
–Erik Ryberg
September 12th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I was Kevin’s 8th grade science teacher, and upon hearing the news of his death this morning thought about spending some time making a ghost bike for him and his family. I know many of his peers also ride bicycles daily, as do I, and would feel proud to create such a memorial.
September 12th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
i new kevin when i was in sixth grade and he was a sweet man. he was very respectful and a good hearted person. he had recently dropped by my soccer practices and watched our game. i would see him almost every morning riding his bike on mountain on my way to school(Salpointe).i would be happy to help in any way i could.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
NO…FUCK….. this cant fucking be!!!! WHAT THE FUCK….IM SO FUCKING MAD…..he was my friend sience the 2nd grade……i talked to him this week……..FUCKCESFSHEHJRST
September 12th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I think a bike box wouldn’t have made a bit of difference in this situation and see them as pretty much a waste of taxpayer dollars. As long as cars and bikes are not separated with physical [concrete] barriers into their own lanes, these terrible tragedies will never stop. When bikes and vehicles have to compete for space, the vehicle wins every time.
Our children – and all the other bikers like Chris – need dedicated and segregated bikeways where they don’t have to fear losing their lives to vehicles that don’t see them. That’s the only way we’ll ever cut down on these senseless tragedies.
I hope that Kevin and all those other boys who’ve died on bikes in the last couple of years haven’t died in vain. We need to use the memory of their senseless deaths to actively lobby our City, County, and State representatives to put in dedicated bike lanes. All it takes is the political will backed up by citizen pressure and we can avoid many of these tragedies in the future.
Rest in peace, Kevin. You’ll be missed. – Noah’s mom, Stephanie
September 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I’m devastated. This is something terrible. I met Kevin since he was born, because I was married with one of her mom’s sisters. He was born in 1993, the same year one of his cousins was born too, Bernardo, my son. Kevin was four months older than Bernardo. Almost every year his mom and his brother Daniel used to come to Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. He was a wonderful person. He was happy. He is in my mind and my heart. I´m son sad and anger. I hope God took him to heaven.
September 13th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Kevin was a really good friend of mine and he was my first friend durring freshmen year, and when I heard about this I couldn’t believe. People were telling me but I ceased to disbelive it. Until I saw it on the news. This deveastated me and I can’t help but wonder why kevin? It was so unexpeccted and he was such a fun, happy caring person and I will miss him. Rest in peace my friend.
September 13th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I only met Kevin this year, but I know how good of a kid he was. I would only consider myself an acquaintance, but he went out of his way to talk to me many times.
He was so so so polite, and always had an expression on his face like he could take anything on.
Nothing could make me sadder than this.
September 13th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hi all,
I don’t have much to say right now but thank you for your words and support. Thank you for loving him because he loved you guys so much. Let’s keep Kevin in our hearts forever and spread the kindness he showed us. Lets be happy, intelligent and lets keep riding bicycles to keep this earth green and beautiful like he always did!
September 13th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
To all of Kevin’s friends: if you would like to be with Kevin’s family and friends please feel free to e-mail me so I can give you directions. daniel.barajas1@gmail.com
September 13th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
yta….para siempre.
September 13th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Having lost my dad last month on his bike, i send my thoughts and condolenes to all of Kevin’s family and friends. *hugs*
September 14th, 2008 at 1:38 am
well i first met kevin at city high school freshmen year..
when i found out he had past i didnt believe it at first i kept telling my friend are you sure..and when i called my mom to look it up it was true i was in shock for a while i couldnt get it through my head..i kept thinking about it..its so hard to believe this..i had just saw him thursday and to know he past the next day is heart breaking…
i send my prayers to his family and other friends…
may kevin rest in peace..
-Evangelina Vasquez
September 14th, 2008 at 3:08 am
he was my friend in 6th and 7th grade and i also just started at tucson high with him and it was a huge shock to hear what happened….its very sad…he was a good person and he will be remembered
September 14th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I just rode through where it happened, which is a spot I ride through basically every day of the week. An older Mexican man with a big tricycle was helping with the memorial at the site – flowers, candles, etc. Needless to say, what an f’ing bummer.
September 14th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I was so sad and angry when I learnt what had happened to Kevin. I met him three years ago when I first came to Tucson. I always thought he was an incredibly happy kid who loved everyone: his mom, his brother, his dad, his friends and he usually showed everyone how much he loved them.
I had the opportunity to share with him lots of moments (I only wish I had had more time to know him) and I can only say that he had a huge and kind heart. He was learning to play guitar and he had improved a lot lately.
Daniel’s right: we must remember Kevin as he used to be and be happy and intelligent about it.
Needless to say how much we will miss you Kev. Wherever you are now, may you find peace, love and music. Wherever you are, you won’t be alone.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:48 am
I was kevin’s classmate both durng freshman and sophmore year. I didn’t know him too well, but I remember just the Tuesday before the accident he asked me for a cupcake. I was in both his first and second hour, both Gate classes. Because gate moves through schoool as a group, many of the students form a family-like bond. I can’t imagine our English class without his contributions, I don’t know what it will be like not hearng the teacher mutter “Kevin’s table, quiet down” which was a common thing to hear. He was so full of energy, he was always so kind. I remember when he came to school without his long hair and everyone was shocked. Needless to say, the loss of Kevin is devistating to everyone who knew him, especially because of his kind demenor.
Rest in peace, Kevin
September 15th, 2008 at 11:46 am
On Saturday evening, there was a vigil at the corner of Ft. Lowell and Mountain. The people appeared to be friends and family of the deceased, and they had put up quite a tasteful display of flowers, candles, and essays. If it’s still there, stop by and pay your respects.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I never met him but I always saw him walking to my 6th period class. We went opposite ways but always crossed passed. We always happen to exchange glances I took that route today and with out even realizing it, I was looking for him.
I wish I knew Kevin more than I did and will remember him every passing period to 6th period.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I really dont know who this kid is but i was there when the accidnet happened. my school it about 300 feet from the sence.
rest in peace.
with much love to the family.
god bless
September 15th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I am a teacher in Tucson. Not Kevin’s teacher, but, his story has really struck me. He surely was the type of kid that teachers dream of…eager, hardworking, intelligent, involved. What a loss even people that didn’t know him feel. Such a promising life cut so short. I pray for any measure of peace possible for his many friends and family whom obviously loved him very much.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Thanks for the kind words. There will be services for Kevin tomorrow 9/16 at 7pm in the Newman Center by the U of A. All friends and supporters are welcome
September 16th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Physical separation will not help, unless you have some way of bikes crossing roads without actually riding on them, like a freeway interchange. Where will the money come for that kind of infrastructure? That would require a bridge at every intersection with a bike lane which would mean that bike lanes would cost out the butt and never get built, placing you back where we are now.
No, the answer is legislation, education, and enforcement. Start with the idiot bus driver that killed the kid. Make an example of hir for negligently allowing a 10 ton weapon to kill a defenseless child. punish to the maximum allowed by the law, and complain because the law is so lenient. Then get new laws passed that have some teeth, and hound LEO and DAs to get those laws enforced to the max. If some cops start not arresting people that kill cyclists, start screaming for heads to roll, if prosecutors fail to prosecute, then fire them and hire ones that will. Don’t stop, don’t let up, don’t ever let up. Mobs with torches and pitchforks is a cliche, but an angry mob outside a courtroom, calling for the accused to be delivered to them will get attention focussed on the carnage.
I hate to say this, but we cyclists are the “nigger” of the 21st century. Like the Black people of the 1960s we will have to rise up and demand our rights be protected against motor vehicle drivers that want us dead. And don’t claim there isn’t a significant minority who want us dead, I have a huge scar on my leg to remind me of the last guy that tried to kill me for riding a bicycle on the street. And I apologize to any people of color who were upset by my use of language earlier in the post, but I lived through the 60s and I have a very long memory. I was in Tennessee when they killed Dr. King.
September 16th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
i was kevins friend during freshman year.
ya kno he was so laid back and so fun.
this just really struck me.
im gonna miss ya kev
rest in peace
September 17th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Queremos manifestar nuestra solidaridad a Graciela, Daniel y todos los amigos, por Kevin quien de algun modo dejo huella en este mundo.
Su espiritu , su amor estaran siempre en nuestros corazones; por quien elevamos una oracion.
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 am
Dios sabe porqué hace las cosas.
Como alguien dijo acá en Michoacán: “Kevin vino al mundo a visitarnos”
Seguramente Kevin nos ha enseñado algo de lo que Dios quiere para nosotros: alegria, confianza, amistad, cariño, camaradería, gusto por el conocimiento y la música, obediencia e inocencia.
Todo eso es Kevin, el enviado del Padre Celestial.
Sus restos descansan ahora junto a los de su abuelo materno Santiago en El Temascal, Morelia Michoacán, México
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I did not know Kevin, but my kids go to school across the street from the accident. From the moment I realized what was going on and why I had to park and walk my kids to school my heart began to ache for every person facing this horrible loss. My mind immediately began asking HOW and WHY. I pass the memorial most everyday and every time I say a prayer that love would rest and heal the hearts of each person who is burdened by this loss. My words are the only uplift I can offer. I wish I had more. May peace be with you all in this time of trouble.
September 30th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Kevin, he was such a great friend, he was funny, smart, and perseverant. I never saw him complain about anything, and i never heard him talk bad about anyone…
We will miss you dearly.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:34 am
I had first met Kevin at City High my freshmen year of school.He was a goofball and always made me laugh.He was also very sweet and would always seem to notice when i was feeling down and would give it his all just to try to cheer me up, I remeber when he was generous enough to offer me his sweater one night at at quincenera when i was cold.Its still shocking, and I still can not believe the tragic accident. KEVIN we will miss you very much…**Sleep with the Angelitos**
-Clara Maldonando
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Daniel y Graciela, desde acá los llevo en el corazón, deseando que, poco a poco, cada día, puedan encontrar la paz que permita entender el misterio de la partida de nuestro querido Kevin, quien, sin duda, nos sonrie desde una estrella… los quiero y los abrazo…
November 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Students at our school have created a ghost bike for him and it will be in the all souls procession.You can join us!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Sad, that there’s lot’s of dumbfuck retards that don’t notice bikers.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I didn’t know his name, but he sat next to me in french class for about a week. I never spoke to him, but ever since it happened I think about him all the time. I hope for the best for his family, I can’t even imagine.
September 12th, 2011 at 12:03 am
Thank you all. I hear all of you. Kevin, my son is forever
in my heart, and will always be. I’ve been in shock for all these years and will miss him forever, each day and night. I miss my son, Kevin. I will always do. He brought love and sweetness, peace and joy. Thank the Divine Creator.
September 30th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Kevin i miss you bro for real you were one of my best friends ill see you again R.I.P.