Kelowna teen killed in collision remembered as tenacious and wise beyond his years

A B.C. teen who died after being hit by a vehicle was remembered as a smart boy with a thirst for life by family and friends at a Saturday memorial service. 

More than 100 people gathered to share stories and mourn 15-year-old Tristan Seeger, who succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after he was struck by a car near Kelowna's Ben Lee Park two weeks ago. 

Police are investigating the death as a homicide, noting the collision was related to a call they received of a group of teens using bear spray on a number of people. 

Tristan's mother, Paule Seeger, spoke at Saturday's service and said her son was "a whirlwind." 

"That boy approached life with a voracious appetite. He wanted to experience it all," she said. 

Paule said Tristan had struggled with addiction in the past but had been in recovery since May. 

"We were given six incredible months with our son where we rebuilt our relationships and made memories," she said.

"We had our beautiful boy back."

Tristan wanted to be a lawyer just like his mom, Paule said, and they had discussed him going to law school in the U.K. 

She said Tristan was always laughing and had "killer dimples" and "a gleam in his eye." 

Tristan's dad, Jason Seeger, said his son was good at basketball and loved skateboarding. He was involved in his church community and often volunteered for church events. 

Jason said his son had a way with children and babies, and was "adored" by his younger brother. 

"Watching you grow from a newborn to the boy you were was absolutely a privilege and honour," said Jason.

Wise beyond his years

Friends of Tristan's who spoke at the service said he had been focused on his recovery and was making life plans. 

"He always wanted to do everything and had so many dreams. He always told me about all these random things that he thought he could do," said his friend Travis Holland. 

Although Tristan was younger than most of his friends, many of them said they looked up to him. 

They described him as an "old soul," smart and composed and always there when a friend needed him.