Tragedy struck on Valentine’s Day in Louisiana when 14-year-old Kulyn Brook Manuel, a promising student athlete and altar boy, lost his life in a hit-and-run incident.

The young man was crossing a major highway on his electric bicycle when he was allegedly struck by 22-year-old Ethan Trahan from Reeves. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage played a crucial role in identifying Trahan, who was linked to a white pickup truck towing a horse trailer seen fleeing the scene, as reported by KPLC.

Following the incident, authorities swiftly tracked down and arrested Trahan, who was booked into jail two days later. The news of this loss has sent ripples of grief and shock throughout the community.

Kulyn Manuel’s family is left to mourn the loss of a young life brimming with potential and promise. Remembered fondly, his Great Aunt Denise Walker shared with KPLC, “He was going to be something, and he was going places. He was just a joy.” The community remembers him as a ‘shining star’ with a ‘bright future,’ a sentiment echoing the deep void left by his untimely departure.

Manuel’s family remembered him as a ‘shining star’ who had a ‘bright future.’ 

‘He was going to be something, and he was going places,’ his Great Aunt Denise Walker told KPLC. ‘He was just a joy.’ 

The Oberlin eighth grader was a multi-sport athlete, who was also an altar boy with dreams of being a priest when he got older, his family said.  

‘He excelled in sports, he excelled in school, in school work, he made straight-As. He was the nicest child, he was very polite, he was always respectful to older people,’ Walker said. 

Kulyn Brook Manuel, 14, was killed in a hit-and-run on Valentine’s Day. He was crossing a major highway on an electric bicycle 

His sister, Lainey Manuel, learned of his death the day of and said it was one of the ‘most heartbreaking’ phone calls 

He recently won student of the year at school for the second time. He was given the distinction the first time in the fifth grade. 

Manuel was a straight-A student at the school, where he was also a member of the Beta Club, ran track, and played baseball, basketball, and football.  

Manuel brought ‘joy, energy, and kindness into every room he entered,’ his family said in his obituary. 

Ethan Trahan, 22, of Reeves, was arrested for the deadly hit-and-run 

A GoFundMe was started to support his family. It has raised nearly $14,000 of its $25,000 goal. 

‘No family should have to face such a loss alone. Any donation, share, or prayer is deeply appreciated, and will help lift some of the weight so the family can focus on grieving and healing,’ his aunt, Heather Manuel-Coe, wrote. 

‘Kulyn was more than a student and athlete. He was a young man with big dreams, a contagious smile, and a heart full of love. His life, though far too short, made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.’

His sister, Lainey Manuel, said she found out about her brother’s death around 10pm on Valentine’s Day, calling it the ‘most heartbreaking phone call.’ 

The two had plans to see each other in the coming weeks, and she promised his killer would get ‘karma.’ 

Manuel was an altar boy and had dreams of being a priest one day, his family said 

The eighth grader was a straight-A student who had been named student of the year twice, including this year 

He leaves behind his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. Manuel is pictured with his mother Darlene Chaumont 

The 14-year-old was also a multi-sport athlete, having played baseball, basketball, and football

‘To hit someone and leave them for dead is such an inhumane thing to do. I could never imagine doing that to somebody, especially a child,’ she wrote on Facebook. 

He leaves behind his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. 

Trahan has been charged with a hit-and-run.  

The Daily Mail has contacted the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Manuel family for comment.