ATLANTA -- The parents of a 19-year-old who was struck and killed while walking on the Downtown Connector are confused and struggling with their son's death.
Friday night, Atlanta Police said Kaden Campbell was walking across the southbound lanes I-85 at I-75 northbound, near Georgia Tech's campus, when an SUV hit him. The driver stayed on the scene, and no charges are expected, but Atlanta Police are still investigating the freshman student's death.
Campbell's mother Patty Mills, who lives in St. Mary's, Georgia, said she talks to her son every day, including Friday around 7 p.m., the night her son was killed. She said she never imagined it would be her last time.
"It would have never even crossed my mind," Mills told 11Alive through tears. "It is unfathomable to me that he is gone."
Mills said her son spent years as a competitive skateboarder, but made school a priority. Last year, Kaden graduated from Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County as a straight-A student before heading to Georgia Tech for his freshman year.
Photos: Georgia Tech student, Kaden Campbell
"Kaden was one of the most determined, self-motivated people that I will ever know," Mills said.
Mills said her son had his future planned out, joking that his first goal was to become a millionaire.
"That was his plan in life. He wanted to go to school for business and finance and work on Wall Street and just do big things," she said.
Brandon Campbell, Kaden's father, agreed, telling 11Alive's Joe Henke through tears, he couldn't be more proud of his son.
"Greatest son ever. Amazing things in his life. Was always the guy that was trying to be the best at everything," Brandon said.
Kaden's death has left his parents deeply saddened, but also confused as to why he would have been crossing the Interstate to begin with.
"That is not who he was and it doesn't make any sense to me," Brandon said. "(We're) really struggling with that part of it, for sure."
According to Mills, when they last talked, Kaden mentioned he was heading to a formal event, though she didn't know whether it was with the fraternity or the school. The executive director of Sigma Nu, the fraternity the 19-year-old was a pledge with, said Georgia Tech's chapter of the fraternity had no event on Friday night.
In a statement to 11Alive, Executive Director Brad Beacham said,
"Sigma Nu Fraternity is deeply saddened by the death of Kaden Campbell, a Georgia Tech student who was a candidate of the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Sigma Nu at Georgia Tech. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with Kaden’s family, friends, and other loved ones, as well as with the Georgia Tech community, during this very difficult time. We appreciate the wonderful support being provided by the Georgia Tech staff and community as well as by the dedicated alumni leaders of the Gamma Alpha Chapter. We will remain in close communication with them in the days ahead to provide continued support."
In an email to students and staff, Georgia Tech echoed those sentiments and extended their "deepest condolences to Kaden's family and friends."
11Alive asked Atlanta Police investigators whether alcohol may have played a role in the student's death; they sent back a response that does not mention alcohol. 11Alive also asked Kaden's parents, who said their son wasn't drinking to their knowledge, and would be very surprised if alcohol or the fraternity played a role.
Regardless of what led to the sudden loss, Mills and Brandon said it's a stark reminder that nothing is promised, and parents should talk to their children every day.
Kaden will be remembered in two services, one in Snellville, and a second in St. Mary's, Georgia, where the 19-year-old will be laid to rest.
