Hit and run victim's mother to meet son's organ recipients

KLTV 7 News | Jena Johnson

TYLER, TX (KLTV) - The family of 15-year-old Jacob Burrell, who was killed in a hit and run crash near Mineola back in October will host a benefit in his memory on Monday. They're trying to raise organ donor awareness.

Burrell, who was a sophomore at Mineola High School, saved three lives by donating his organs, including his heart. About a month before he was killed, he became an organ donor while getting his driver's permit.

It's been a little more than three months since Jacob was killed less than a mile from his home.
What keeps his mother, Jamie Johnson, going are his gifts. Her son saved three lives by donating his organs, including his heart. On Monday, Jamie will meet two of the donors for the first time.

"I think I need these people there," said Jamie. "I need to celebrate Jacob's life, just to know how happy he was and how happy he still is."

David Reeder, 49, now has one of Jacob's kidneys. He was on a waiting list for four years. Reeder says he's dealing with something he calls survivor's guilt. He says Jacob's young age of death is difficult to cope with.

Read more: http://www.kltv.com/story/16517385/hit-and-run-victims-mother-to-meet-sons-organ-recipients