ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Family and friends honored Kaise Gibbons at his burial site in Pelham on what would have been his 5th birthday, Sunday Aug. 16, nearly five months after a street racing crash in Albany claimed his life and the life of his father.

Kaise and his father, Rickey “RJ” Thomas, 26, were killed as bystanders on March 21 when two street racers lost control on Krug Street in Albany, according to police. A third victim lost her unborn baby after being injured in the crash weeks later.

‘His spirit won’t show up when we’re down’

Kaise’s grandmother, Selina Long, said the family is leaning on faith and on each other to keep moving forward.

“Because of the spirit of Kaise, we have to move on,” Long said. “When we’re always crying and constantly being sad, his spirit won’t show up—because he didn’t like that. He was a spirit of happiness.”

FULL INTERVIEW WITH KAISE’S GRANDMA:

Members of Kaise’s daycare community also gathered to support the family at the victim’s balloon release last weekend.

Ester Robinson, the grandmother of Kaise’s preschool best friend Dylan Loveday, said the bond between the two boys didn’t end with Kaise’s death.

“He tells me all the time that he misses Kaise and that Kaise is his best friend,” Robinson said. “The truck that he got from Kaise’s Nana, that used to be Kaise’s favorite truck—[Dylan] sleeps with it beside his bed.”

WATCH ON ‘WHAT’S GOING ON’:

Both suspects released from jail

Brandon King, 24, and Jacob Daniel Jr., 25, were arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree homicide by vehicle, racing on a highway and reckless driving. King was identified as the driver whose vehicle lost control.

Daniel initially fled the scene but later returned and was taken into custody.

The Dougherty County Jail confirmed on Aug. 17 that both King and Daniel have been released.

More police patrolling for city street racing

Albany Police Chief Michael Persley addressed what local law enforcement is doing to crack down on illegal street racing in a Media Monday briefing.

“...Especially on our main thoroughfares where you do have the evidence of drag marks or either people doing donuts—Yes, we have increased those efforts,” he said.

Chief Persley said more traffic enforcement is coming, but reminded residents of legal drag racing strips outside of city limits.

“If people want to go out and race, we’ve got a drag strip out in the county. Go out there and have some safe fun... Let’s not use our city streets,” he added.

The deadly street racing crash in March

The fatal crash happened around 9:41 p.m. on March 21 in the 1900 block of Krug Street. Two other victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. A pregnant woman—who was also there the night of the crash—said her injuries caused her to lose her unborn child.

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