LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Memorial Day weekend is a time when many families head to lakes and rivers to relax and celebrate the start of summer. But for one Louisville family, Nolin Lake serves as a painful reminder of unimaginable loss.

Keegan Peterson, a 12-year-old boy from Louisville, died last summer during a tubing outing at Nolin Lake with a friend’s family.

“He's just a great kid that, you know, loved life, had a huge energy, infectious smile,” said Keegan’s mother, Heather Yelton. “He’s just a really, really important part of our family.”

Keegan had joined his friend’s family on a trip to their lake house last July. His parents were not with him.

“Our family was not with him. We were back in Louisville,” Yelton said.

The boys were tubing on the lake when, according to Keegan’s mother, the unthinkable happened.

“The dad that was with them was on a jet ski and was changing a song on his jet ski and didn't see the boat was turning and ran directly into the tube that Keegan was on,” Yelton said.

Keegan’s father, Chris Peterson, described what followed: “Causing, you know, blunt force trauma to his head, threw him face down in the water, where he suffered a drowning event.”

Keegan was airlifted to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, where he died two days later. His family was with him in the hospital.

“It’s been pretty, pretty difficult to get through this last year without him,” Chris Peterson said. “A lot of firsts that I wish upon no parent to go through.”

Yelton said she believes the incident could have been prevented.

“This wasn't an accident, it was negligence, that this should have never happened,” she said. “People shouldn't be riding jet skis close to other boaters and tubers. And, you know, it's just very dangerous and careless to do something like that.“

The family said no criminal charges have been filed against the father who was operating the jet ski.

“I can't imagine this happening to anyone else,” Yelton said through tears. “It's just a big hole that's missing from our family.”

Keegan was an avid soccer player, a football fan, and a social, energetic child. He would have turned 13 in September.

Now, his parents are sharing their story in hopes that it can prevent other tragedies.

“If you are seeing careless, negligent activity going on, like please report it,” Yelton said.

As families prepare for summer outings, the Petersons urge everyone to prioritize safety. 

“Ensure that you're knowledgeable on how to operate a motor vehicle in the water,” Chris Peterson added. “If the lake is too crowded, play it safe. You know, save the tubes and the water skiing for another day. If your children are going with another family, make sure you truly know who they are.”

The Sawyer Youth Soccer Association has established the Keegan Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund to keep Keegan’s passion for soccer burning bright. All of the money from the tax-deductible donations will be used to offset the cost of playing recreational and/or club soccer for SYSA. Click here for details. 

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