COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Police are investigating a crash that killed a Cobb County Marine.
Kyle Bowersox was home to help his mother deal with surgery, but while on a motorcycle heading to meet a friend late Friday, a car driven by a 16-year-old driver cut left in front of Bowersox near the Town Center Mall, prompting the Marine to lay down his bike, only to collide with the back of the car.
Witnesses say he never regained consciousness.
Channel 2's Ross Cavitt talked to a friend of the Marine, Tyler Baum, who says his sudden death has sent shockwaves through the community.
"We always joked he had a million dollar smile and that's how he lived his life I don't think you could catch him on a bad day," friend Tyler Baum told Cavitt.
Friends say Bowersox had his life on the right path. The 2013 Lassiter High School grad followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Marines and seemed to flourish.
In a tearful sunset memorial at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida where Bowersox was stationed, dozens of fellow Marines were joined by others to salute the young Marine.
Video of the ceremony has reached thousands.
"These guys never knew him that well, and the outpouring we've heard from them the support from the Marines is just amazing," Baum said.
Hundreds have paid tribute to Bowersox on social media pages. They speak about a young man who could instantly become your friend.
"He loved his country and he loved his family and he loved his brother and he loved everybody and everybody he spoke to even ever so briefly he touched their lives forever," Baum said.
Funeral arrangements have been set. The visitation for Bowersox will take place Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. at Woodstock Funeral Home at 8855 Main St. in Woodstock.
His funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.