ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – The community is mourning the untimely death of 21-year-old Elijah Kit, who tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident just days before Christmas. Friends and family are determined to celebrate his memory and cherish the impact he had on their lives.
Those close to Kit describe him as a steadfast friend, always ready to lend a helping hand and known for his warm-hearted nature. Christopher Sheehan, a friend of Kit, fondly recalls his generosity and infectious grin.
“Elijah was the kind of person who would offer you the shirt off his back when no one else was around. His big, goofy smile was as natural to him as breathing,” Sheehan reminisced.
The incident occurred on Saturday, according to Rockledge police, when Kit was traveling south on Fiske Boulevard at speeds exceeding 100 mph. His motorcycle collided with a vehicle driven by a Viera man who was making his way west into the Phillips Landing Subdivision. The condition of the Viera driver is still unknown.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, though it remains uncertain whether the incident was sparked by road rage or a racing event.
Police also say it is unclear whether the crash was the result of road rage or a racing incident.
Kit’s friend, known as “Smiley,” says the 18-year-old female motorcycle passenger hurt in the crash was Kit’s girlfriend, who is currently recovering in the hospital.
“We heard when his girlfriend woke up, she was saying something about the possibility of a Mustang or something chasing him,” Smiley said. “They both had helmets on. When they hit, they came off on impact. She went over the car a couple of hundred feet and I guess her helmet came off during the impact.”
Sheehan, along with others in their friend group, shares a passion for motorcycles. They say it is heartbreaking that they are now in the process of planning a memorial:
“It hurts. I talked to his grandma last night and they’re questioning if they want to celebrate Christmas anymore.”
Another one of Kit’s friends, Mark Clunis, says the loss is being felt throughout the biker community.
“It’s a tragic loss to the biker community,” he said.
Friends say they hope no one else, whether on a motorcycle or in a car, will lose their life this holiday season.
“I know everyone has a negative stigma towards us (motorcyclists) but we are not all bad people, we are still people,” Smiley said.
Kit’s family has since established an online fundraiser for funeral expenses and medical bills.
On Friday, the group plans to hold a memorial bike meet in Kit’s honor, starting at 5 p.m. in Melbourne and followed by a memorial event later that night in Titusville.
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