A memorial service was held on Friday in Hillsborough for Everett Copeland, a local minor who died on December 26 from injuries sustained in a construction accident.

The service was hosted by newhope Church, a contemporary Christian ministry based in Durham whose congregation includes the Copeland family.

At the church’s campus in Hillsborough, relatives of Everett reminisced about his life to a somber audience of supporters and first responders.

“He was a great, incredible kid,” professed Chris Peltz, the pastor who led the service.

Everett’s mother, Ashley, fought back tears with her husband, Bill, while explaining that their son “taught us that hope, wonder and awe still exist.”

Ashley’s mother, Sandra, said that her grandson “was the sweetest, most caring, protective brother” to his two sisters, Madeline and Cate.

Bittersweet remarks from Bill described a five-year-old boy who “lived long enough for us to know who he was, but not long enough for us to see who he would become.”

Everett’s death occurred in the wake of a construction accident where a dump truck in the Forest Ridge subdivision rolled downhill into a house occupied by the Copelands.

That truck may have been left with its engine running by Alejandro Suarez, who was arrested by the Hillsborough Police Department and charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Suarez was unable to produce proof of identification for arresting officers, which led US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to determine that he is in the country illegally.

Suarez’s trial will commence at the Orange County Courthouse on January 9.

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