A local school district and faith community are mourning the loss of a 13-year-old boy who was killed while riding his bike in Buffalo Township on Friday, May 24.

Dylan Tarbi, a middle school student in the Freeport Area School District, died Friday evening after being hit by a pickup as he rode his bike with a friend along Cole Road.

His friend, whose name has not been released, had minor injuries and was taken to a hospital by his parents.

Buffalo Township Police Chief Tim Derringer said, while the investigation into the crash is ongoing, initial evidence suggests the driver of the truck that struck the boys did not see them due to sun glare as he crested a hill.

He said no charges have been filed against the driver, whose name also has not been released.

Dylan was a member of East Union Presbyterian Church in Cheswick and was confirmed in April, according to the Rev. James Ramsey. He said the congregation is struggling with Dylan’s death.

“It’s hit our congregation, and especially our youth, really hard,” he said. “He was a fine young man. We miss him terribly here. It’s a great loss for our church.”

Dylan attended Sunday worship services and the church’s youth group, Ramsey said.

“He was beloved here,” he said. “He was very involved.”

The last time he saw Dylan, Ramsey said, he spotted him and his brother in line to shake his hand after a Sunday service.

“Dylan had this smile that lit up the room,” he said, recalling that day.

This past Sunday, just two days after Dylan died, was very difficult for everyone.

“He was growing in his faith; he just went through confirmation,” he said.

Dylan’s confirmation presentation was centered on the sun, he said, and would be used during a Thursday service being planned in his honor. Dylan’s obituary indicated that in his statement of faith, he wrote that he saw the sun rise and set as a daily reminder of God’s love.

“(His presentation) ended with something like ‘I hope when you look at the sun, it will remind you of God as well,’” he said.

Dylan was a member of the Freeport Area Youth Baseball Association, according to his obituary, and enjoyed “running as fast as he could around those bases.”

Craig Rinaman, Dylan’s former coach, said he loved watching Dylan run as much as Dylan loved to run.

“He loved baseball. He was as fast as a deer,” said Rinaman, who is also president of the organization.

Rinaman knew Dylan before becoming his coach, and had him on his team in fall 2021. He described Dylan as a “coachable kid.”

“If you could have 10 Dylan Tarbi’s on your team, you were going to have a good year,” he said.

Dylan also was an incredible teammate and friend, he said.

“He was one of those people, his personality was larger than life,” Rinaman said. “You couldn’t help but smile and laugh every time you were around him.”

Dylan’s love of baseball eventually led him to Freeport’s cross country team, where he was selected as Rookie of the Year for 2023, according to his obituary. He also was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, Birdville Troop 186 and obtained the rank of First Class. He had started pursuing boxing at the Sanctuary Boxing Club, in New Kensington.

As students of Freeport Area School District returned to school Tuesday, they were encouraged to wear blue in remembrance of Dylan.

“Our collective hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the Tarbi family,” a statement from the school district said. “Our district realizes that a sudden loss affects our entire school community.”

The statement described Dylan as a “wonderful, beautiful young man” and assured the district was prepared to support students and their emotional needs as they return to school.

“We recognize that children grieve differently and in their own time,” the statement said.

The district is offering resources, such as counselors and “furry friends,” to middle and high school students during this time, according to its website, and acknowledges the difficulty of walking a child through grief.

“Our district believes that school is the best place for our children during times like these and is prepared to support our students,” according to the statement. “Should your child be struggling with this news and in need of someone beyond your family to talk to, our district is offering office hours to meet with and speak to our wonderful counselors and licensed professional counselors, as well as administrators.”

Donations for Dylan’s celebration of life can be made to the church’s Venmo using the handle @EastUnionPresbyterianChurch, or by mailing a check to 292 East Union Road, Cheswick, PA 15024. Checks should be made payable to East Union Church and note that the gift is for the Tarbi Mercy Meal.

Additionally, a celebration of life service and dinner are being held at the church’s community center, 292 East Union Road, at 3 p.m. Thursday.

According to Ramsey, many of Dylan’s friends from the church will present readings and perform worship during the service.

The church requests that anyone interested in attending the service make a reservation, and as of Tuesday, Ramsey said upward of 400 people said they would attend.

“It’s a memorial service that will celebrate his life and lift up the glory of God,” he said.

Those attending are asked to wear blue, Dylan’s favorite color, or their baseball jersey, boxing shirt, cross country shirt, Scout uniform or youth group shirt that connects them with Dylan.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to make a reservation through the church’s website, https://bit.ly/DylanTarbi.