EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) -- The competitive cheer community in San Diego is mourning the loss of one of their own.
Kenrod James Jr. was a popular cheer athlete and mentor to many at Cheer Force San Diego in El Cajon.
James was competing with his team at the Spirit Sports: Duel in the Desert competition in Palm Springs over the weekend. At the end of Saturday’s competition, James was in a car accident in Cabazon.
According to the CHP, James was driving on Interstate 10 when he was in a non-injury accident. The other driver left the scene.
As James got out of his car to access the damage, a Honda CRV struck him.
James was rushed to the hospital where he later died. The CHP says the driver who hit James stayed at the scene.
His mother, Dorene Carter, tells 10News she was waiting for James to get home for dinner when they got the call that he'd been in an accident. Carter says she's heartbroken by the loss.
James' cheer team, Nfinity, decided to finish the cheer competition in his honor. The emotional performance earned them the championship on Sunday.
James' family set up a GoFundMe page to help with the funeral expenses. If you’d like to donate, click here.
