VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Seventeen-year-old Atlantic High School senior Rodrick Hutchinson Jr. was honored on homecoming night Friday after he was tragically killed in a crash a week ago. His older sisters said he was very loving and kind. They said Hutchinson cared a lot about his family and was an amazing uncle.

The band member was hit by a vehicle along Big Tree Road and Old Kings Road.

Hutchinson’s older sister, Valencia Brown, explained that he was testing out his scooter that he got for work when he was hit and killed. Just the day before his death, Valencia was helping her brother prepare for his special homecoming day.

“He was looking so forward to homecoming. The day before his passing was my birthday, and I was spray painting his hair red to go with his suit,” Valencia said.

The high school senior had his future laid out, and one of his other sisters, Raven Brown, said he was just accepted to the University of Kansas, where he planned on attending.

“Coming up, he was always a brilliant kid. He was always able to soak in information and just use it to the best of his ability,” explained Raven.

Hutchinson is one of 6 siblings and has always had family nearby. Outside of school, he worked with one of his older sisters at Walmart. At school, he played alongside his younger sister in the marching band, which he had been a member of since the 9th grade.

Valencia said if he wasn’t playing at school, he kept the beat going at home.

“He loved the drum line. That was one of the things he would just come home and tap, tap, tap on the drum, on his practice drum,” explained Valencia. “With the drumsticks, he loved rehearsing.”

Even in his passing, the teenager is pushing his siblings to be great.

“Now, he is inspiring me to go back to school. I’m 26 years old, but I’m still going to go back to school. That is something I want to do for my brother especially,” said Raven.

Hutchinson’s sisters said they are going to continue positively celebrating his life.