BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A vigil was held on Thursday night, in Central Bakersfield for local Bakersfield High School alum, Deion Nobles.
Nobles was killed on Feb. 14 in a motorcycle crash.
His teammates say he could be seen on and off the field with the biggest and most infectious smile.
"He played a huge impact on the coaches' lives and everybody remembers him as an inspirational guy," said Marcus Bruce, a former teammate. "He was the littlest person on the field and had the biggest heart and made the biggest plays."
24-year-old Nobles was a defensive back and running back at Bakersfield high school from 2011 to 2015.
On Thursday loved ones gathered at the corner of Chester Avenue and 2nd Street to pay respect to his memory.
On February 14th, Nobles was riding his motorcycle at that intersection when police say Torres Dawson and Nobles collided.
Nobles died at the scene and Bakersfield police arrested Dawson for DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Nobles sister Sherrell Dyson says their family is still hurting.
"That was my little brother and I am his only sister," Dyson said. "I am my brother's keeper."
Their family has this message to the alleged driver.
"Reach out to us, if it was an accident say sorry, I just want to know why," Dyson said.
Torres was released on bail the following day, Feb. 15. Among the crowd Deion's co-workers could be found, who says he was the most dedicated worker.
"He was so quiet and the smallest one out there, but he was the strongest one out there," said Christian Noriega, a co-worker of Deion's.
The wake for Nobles will be held on Feb. 28 at Rucker's mortuary and the Celebration of Life will be held on Feb. 29, at Christ First Ministries.
The family says the public is welcome to attend both.
"He had personality and he was a good person," said Alex Lomerana, a co-worker of Deion's. "He always knew what to say and could always make you smile and he's just a guy you wanted to be around."
