Family mourns loss of son, brother to suspected drunk driver

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A college athlete and Memphis native is dead after he was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver while on his bike on Christmas Eve.

The accident happened along a highway in the Richland, Mississippi, just south of Jackson.

Trey Rich was a student and football player at nearby Belhaven University and a 2007 graduate of White Station High School in Memphis.

Trey's family spent their Christmas Day grieving for a man many say lost his life way too soon.

A family gathering on Christmas Day turned tragic.

"I just remember screaming," said Oschia Rich, Trey's sister.

Oschia Rich took the call from police Thursday-- a call she and her family never expected.

"He said 'it's no easy way to tell you this, but he passed away last night.'"

Her younger brother, 26-year-old Elbert Rich, known as Trey, had been killed by a suspected drunk driver on Christmas Eve. The accident happened near Jackson as Trey was riding his bike home from work.

It's any mother's nightmare.

"He was my faith cheerleader. He always had an encouraging word," Trey's mother, Cecelia said. "He was such a good son."

A good son's life, she says was stolen by tragedy, and for this family, it's tragedy times two.

"Seven years ago we buried his father. And now seven years later we 're going to have to bury him. So it's a huge lost," said Cecelia.

Trey was living in Jackson, while playing football at Belhaven University. He was set to graduate next fall and wanted to play pro football.

His mother talked about what she'll miss the most about her son.

"When I'm down- how he encourages me," she said.

His sister just wants peace. A best friend taken, a life stolen, and she's trying to make sense of it all.

"He's a grown man, but I've taken care of my brother," Oschia explained. "I've been his keeper, and I wasn't there with him."

Police are investigating the crash. At last check, no charges have been filed against the suspected drunk driver, 29-year-old Reginald Davis. He remains in the hospital.

The Rankin County Sheriff's Department released a previous mugshot of Davis from a 2010 arrest.

Trey's family is now planning his funeral.

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