GILBERT, AZ — "Live today like Jay."
That’s how the Murset family wants people to honor a 16-year-old killed in a car crash Saturday.
"Always trying to help people. He had the kindest heart, he was the best and most loyal friend to anybody and he always just made people feel on top of the world,” says Bryson Murset, Jayson Murset's brother.
On Saturday, Jayson, his sister Savana and their father set off on a road trip. The plan was to go skiing in Show Low. They were driving through Salt River Canyon, on the Globe route, when weather conditions worsened.
"They hit some black ice at the top. They swerved a little bit and a bigger truck t-boned them and hit the passenger side pretty bad,” says Murset.
Jayson was flown to Phoenix but he did not survive. He suffered severe head trauma. His sister is still in the hospital with various injuries and their father is now recovering at home.
"I wanna be there as soon as possible," says Murset.
Bryson, who lives in Utah, managed to get on a flight to Arizona within hours. He was there next to Jayson, holding his hand, as he said his final goodbye.
“I thanked him for the amazing example that he has been for me. You know, he’s young, he's 16 years old and I’m 22 years old but he was always the better...the better man. He was very spiritual, very mature, he treated everyone so well,” says Murset.
Jayson was a junior and basketball player at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert. The basketball team expressed their love on Twitter:"Our CVFamily lost a member today. Jayson Murset. He was a heck of a player and an amazing young man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Murset family! So extremely sorry for your loss."
“He loved basketball. He’s good. He played varsity as a sophomore; an incredible basketball player,” says Murset.
Wristbands and stickers are being sold in Jayson’s honor so people can keep him close to their hearts.
It’s being coordinated through Venmo at: @Rich-Murset. Money raised will be donated to the Arizona Diabetes Foundation, in honor of a condition that Jayson had.
Friends and family are trying to remain positive.
"Know that life is precious, that 16 is too young. You need to hug your loved one now; tell them you love them now,” says Murset.
