Teen remembered as loving, kind

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A northeast Charlotte family is grieving tonight after their 17-year-old son was hit and killed by a pickup truck while walking near his home.

Robbie Tucker would have been a sophomore this fall at Independence High.

"How do you prevent something like this from happening?" asked his mother, Veronica Monzote.

It happened along a winding stretch of Plott Road just after 9 p.m. Wednesday.

"It makes no sense. They should put sidewalks everywhere," said Tucker's brother Steven.

He believes it could have saved Robbie's life.

"He was just a loving child. He had a sweet spirit about him," said his dad, Dwayne.

The three things that mattered most to Robbie were his family, faith and friends.

"He loved everyone. He had a great personality. He was kind," said his mom.

So it seemed only fitting that his tight circle of friends would surround his family with support during this tough time.

They're trying to offer any encouragement they can when there seem to be no good answers.

"If we had sidewalks, my family would never have had to go through so much pain," Robbie's older brother told WCNC.

Meantime, the sudden shock of losing a child is almost more than Robbie's family can bear.

"If you've got a kid, go home and hug them tonight. Don't ever take them for granted," Dwayne Tucker tearfully said.

Tucker's family and neighbors say speeding is a real problem along Plott Road. Authorities haven't said yet if that had anything to do with Wednesday night's accident. There is no word yet if any charges will be filed against the truck driver.

Visitation is tomorrow at Hickory Grove Baptist Church from 7 to 9 pm. His funeral will be held Saturday at 1 p.m.