May 11, 2006

Hit and run kills Pioneer freshman

A community’s grief

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

A steady stream of mourners held a candlelight vigil at the corner of Almaden Expressway and Camden Avenue where Marcus Keppert died early Saturday morning.

Classmates, friends and family remembered “the gentle giant” with candles lined along Almaden Expressway. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Family and friends brought flowers and remembrances as they shared memories and tears for the boy who was
known as “the gentle giant.”

Keppert, 15, a freshman at Pioneer High School, was struck and killed Saturday morning by a hit and run driver while crossing Almaden Expressway at Camden Avenue. According to the San Jose Police Department, Keppert had attempted to cross the intersection on foot in an east to west direction on the south side of the street when a vehicle struck him and left the scene. A passing motorist called the police. Keppert was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:33. His body had been thrown 300 feet from the impact, according to police.

“The Safeway Center has been a source of activity at that time of night,” said Lt. John Carr who responded to the scene. “It is not unusual for kids to be out at that time in the area of the store because it is open so late.”

George Xinos was booked in Santa Clara County Jail Saturday morning. Photo courtesy of San Jose Police Department

Police located the suspect and his vehicle after receiving a report of a suspicious person nearby the scene of the accident. The suspect was found sitting on the curb next to the alleged hit and run vehicle. He was identified as George Xinos, 42, of San Jose. He did not live in the immediate area. He exhibited symptoms of alcohol intoxication and was arrested and booked for felony hit and run and driving under the influence at the Santa Clara County Jail.

A mother’s grief. Elaine Aviles listens to memories of her son at Tuesday night’s candlelight vigil.

“This is impacting a lot of kids in the area,” said Dawn Georgion. “We live in the same neighborhood as Marcus and my daughter Amy attended school with him. Everyone knew him. I just hope everyone has learned something.”

Keppert was 6 feet, 7 inches tall and weighed over 200 pounds, an imposing figure, but as friends and family gathered to share memories of the “gentle giant,” it was his tenderness that was remembered. More than 100 mourners came from his neighborhood and Pioneer and Leland high schools. Michael Debolt knew Keppert for nine years. They grew up in Willow Glen, played Little League baseball and attended Bret Harte Middle School together. “When I heard about Marcus, I had to be here,” said Debolt about his childhood friend.

“We heard that someone was hit here but we didn’t know it was Marcus,” said student Racheal Thompson. “We heard he was missing and then we heard on Monday it was Marcus who was hit. I’ve known the family since I was little.”

Marcus Keppert was struck and killed Saturday morning by a hit and run driver while crossing Almaden Expressway and Camden Avenue.

The sound wall on Almaden Expressway was filled with remembrances of Marcus Keppert by Tuesday evening.

Robert Sakamoto shared that Keppert was coming home from a friend’s house and walking home when he was struck. His older brothers Niko and Alex Pagan shared that “he always looked out for his brothers and his brothers always looked out for him.”

“Marcus was quiet but the best kid once you got to know him,” said one mourner. “He didn’t deserve what he got but karma will come back. He was the nicest guy I ever met.”

Many posters were hung on the sound wall on Almaden Expressway declaring “we miss you Marcus” and “we love you Marcus” along with handwritten memories of their departed friend and classmate.

Pioneer High School offered counseling for their students since Tuesday. Four San Jose Unified School District counselors attended to the many grief-stricken students.

“He was my gentle giant,” said Keppert’s mother Elaine Aviles. “He never talked back and always respected everyone. He was a good boy.”

Services will be held at Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at 1:30 in the Chapel of the Oaks. Visitation will begin Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the same location.

Anyone with any information on the accident is asked to call (408) 277-4654 or (408) 947-STOP to remain anonymous.