Complete Coverage:

Complete Coverage:
Ft. Hood Shootings

°

Homepage / Detroit Local News
Text Size

Ky. College Student Dies While 'Car Surfing'

Victim's Father Doesn't Hold Anyone Responsible

POSTED: Tuesday, July 12, 2005
UPDATED: 6:48 pm EDT July 12, 2005

Kentucky officials said Tuesday a university student died after falling off a car as he was trying to "surf."

Ben Watson
Ben Watson

Benjamin Watson, 19, fell from a car Saturday night and hit his head, according to a Jefferson County deputy coroner.



Witnesses said Watson was on top of the car heading south on Stonehurst Drive in Louisville when he noticed a police car approaching. He tried to jump off, but hit his head on the ground. Watson cracked his skull and injured his lungs, reported WLKY-TV in Louisville.

EMTs rushed Watson to University Hospital after the accident, and although doctors saw positive signs on Sunday morning, the teen eventually succumbed to his injuries. Now, his family hopes his death was not in vain.

"He was car surfing, and we said, 'How could you be so stupid?'" Ben's father, Jim Watson, said to his son's friends.

But then the victim's father reminded himself that his son, like his friends, was only 19. And life was sometimes boring to the math whiz. After a 4.0 semester at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky., he was thinking about attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He even debated trying out for the trivia show "College Jeopardy."

"All those times we've said, 'In an instant, your life changes,'" said Jim Watson. "This was our instant."

Jim Watson said his son was with friends and that he doesn't hold anyone responsible. The father called his son "a great kid" and said he "was starting to mature."

"My last memory was holding his hand and it was so warm," Jim Watson said. "And my wife said, 'I'll never see his face again. I will not be able to hold his beautiful face or touch his beautiful skin.'"

Jim Watson has encountered a range of emotions in recent days. But despite the tragedy, he repeatedly expressed the joy of having nearly 20 years with his son. Still, he said it's difficult knowing his son has been quickly taken away from him.

"Some people say they have a hole in their heart," he said. "I have a hurt in my heart that will never go away. It was the worst day of my life. It will never be that bad again, ever."

Ben Watson is the second teen reported killed in a "car surfing" accident in the United States in recent days. Another 19-year-old was killed July 5 when he fell from the top of a Land Rover in Sheboygan, Wis. One of that man's friends was charged with reckless homicide.

Hot Topics

All 4 Halloween
Friday Football Frenzy - High School Football Highlights
Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Don’t believe everything people tell you about home improvement. Check out the top 4 myths and stop throwing away your money. More

If you have aspirations of becoming a millionaire, check out these five habits that may be worth emulating. More

Eating breakfast is good for you, but eating a healthy breakfast is even better. Get the scoop on which breakfast foods are the most nutritious. More

You’ve heard of certain foods that can help you prevent cancer and even halt the spread of the disease. Find out if these anti-cancer foods really work. More

Hot Shots!

Fantastics Fall Colors
Share your Hot Shots of fantastic fall colors from Michigan's one of a kind tree lines to pumpkin patches!
More
Slideshow: Fall Colors

High School Football Highlights
Send us your Hot Shot photos of football action. Once your Hot Shot gets posted, show it off to all of your friends!
More

Slideshow: Football Frenzy Hot Shots

Sponsored Links

On Local 4

Days Of Our Lives
NBC’s daytime drama “Days of our Lives” will hold its first ever talent and fan search in Detroit at the MGM Grand on Friday, Nov.13 and Saturday, Nov. 14. More

www.DaysOfOurLives.com

See how a local middle school student stopped the bullies cold without a punch! She used simple body language tricks that we'll show your kids how to do.

Morning Home Delivery From Click On Detroit and Local 4 News

Most Popular

Question Of The Day

Have you ever gone onto Facebook or other social networks at work?