Garner Cub Scouts hold vigils for Tyler, Susie and Miles Campbell, family killed in Memorial Day crash

The family of three killed in a Memorial Day crash on Memorial Day was honored by Garner Cub Scouts troop.

Cub Scouts’ Pack 391 held a vigil for the family Monday night at the Garner UMC Fire Ring for Tyler, Susie and Miles Campbell. The family was killed in a crash on Memorial Day.

Miles Campbell was a member of the pack.

“We honor them for their inspiration to their family, their service to humanity and their compassion for those in need,” Pack leader Zack Schoenfeld said. “When someone we have cared for dies, we gather with sorrow in our hearts.”

According to the troop, the family joined Pack 391 in September 2022 after attending Open House Night and deciding they wanted in on the Cub Scouts’ adventures.

“Scouting was a family affair, with Tyler joining the Pack’s leadership as Miles’ Assistant Den Leader and Susie volunteering to help during Pack events,” Pack leaders said. “They were amazing individuals and a beautiful example of those who find and share joy in life.”

On Memorial Day, Garner police say Tyler, Susie and Miles were hit by a suspected drunk driver who ran a red light near the intersection of U.S. 70 and Rand Road.

Tyler and Susie were killed instantly and their son Miles died on May 28 the hospital.

Several members of Miles’ pack members and his friends shared their memories with the family, and what they will miss most about him and his family.

“I may not be within this Scouting community, but he was very special and important to me,” Audrey, who attended summer camp with Miles at Snap Kick Martial Arts, said. “He gave the best hugs … I just would like to respect his memory.”

“Miles was a great person in our den. He was kind and always wanted to help others” a Cub Scout said. “He would always try to do fun stuff and make people happy.”

Occoneechee Council BSA said it has provided grief counselors to the Pack for anyone who would like to speak with someone.

“It’s so heartwarming to see so many in attendance today,” an Occoneechee Council Boy Scouts of America leader said. “There’s no words that can express how heartbroken we all were when we heard the news … Scouting fosters community, and you are emblematic of that.”

A funeral service is planned this week for the family at noon on Thursday, June 6, at Corinth Baptist Church in Ellenboro. The service will be livestreamed.

Additionally, a memorial service will be held in Garner at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at The Summit Church in Garner. It’s one of several memorials and vigils held for the family since the May 27 crash.

Walk/run held on Saturday to honor family

Dozens gathered at White Deer Park in Garner on Saturday to honor the Campbell family.

“You wish this wouldn’t happen,” said Stephen Tucci, who had been friends with the Campbells for years. “Kind of like a mentorship and kind of showing them the ropes about life, and navigating being young.”

Tucci helped organize the run/walk, which follows the same route in the same park where 28-year-old Tyler Campbell, an avid runner and marathoner, took his last run on Sunday.

“One of the things that’s important to all of us is that we truly honor Tyler, Susie and Miles for the people that they are,” Tucci said. “The last thing that all three of them said to us was ‘love you,’ and we all got to say ‘love you too’ on the way out,”

Saturday’s run/walk was a rallying point for the Campbell’s friends and family.

Organizers hope to make this an annual event. They also used the opportunity to raise awareness of drunk driving.

“You don’t take anything for granted,” Tucci said.

Police say 25-year-old Jordan Alexander Porter hit the Campbell family and is now facing DWI charges.

WRAL News is working to learn what other charges may be forthcoming.

Tucci says he and others are working to establish an award in honor of Tyler, Susie, and Miles that would be given to a student at NC State.