The community of North County is celebrating the life of a teen who was killed in a car accident at the beginning of the month.
Bryce Houghton, 13, was killed in early April when a suspected drunk driver plowed into his family’s broken-down minivan on the 405 freeway in Fountain Valley.
The celebration of Houghton's life was hosted at the Daybreak Church in Carlsbad where hundreds of people who were touched by him attended.
Houghton's family tells NBC 7 that they want the community to remember Houghton for how he loved helping others.
“I loved Bryce, he was very nice to me and everyone else, and I hope people remember that,” said Mcleod Cornforth, Houghton's best friend.
Houghton's family said the teen dreamed of one day becoming a firefighter to help kids who suffer from burn injuries, as he suffered from a burn injury himself.
The San Diego Fire Department knew that and honored Houghton with his own helmet. They also inducted Houghton as an honorary firefighter into the department.
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“Now he is a part of our family forever,” said Nima Biganeh, an engineer for SDFD.
His loved ones believe they will one day see Houghton again. Dad, Michael Houghton, says his strength comes from seven years ago when Houghton suffered a burn injury and told his dad to sing him through the pain.
"I said 'Houghton, do you want me to play some music?' he is like 'no,' then he says 'Yeah, put on 'I will Praise You','" said Michael Houghton. "That's how I have confidence, that is how I have strength."
If you want to support the Houghton family they have set up a GoFundMe page.