15-year-old dies after e-bike collides with motorcycle; family hopes his legacy inspires kindness

BOISE, Idaho (KIVI) - After a 15-year-old Idaho boy was killed in an e-bike crash, his family hopes his legacy will be one of kindness, compassion and love for others – qualities they say defined the way he lived every day.

Sterling Wolfgang Thomas, 15, died Thursday night after an e-bike and motorcycle collided in Boise. Now, flowers, stuffed animals and handwritten messages line the corner where the crash happened, a growing memorial to the teenager.

Sterling’s uncle, Mike Thomas, says he wants people to remember how his nephew lived: as a loving, kind and compassionate young man whose impact reached far beyond his family.

“Everyone who knew him loved him, and he was always so nice. He was just such a loving kid,” Thomas said. “Anytime you’d walk in the house, you could just pass him, and he’d say, ‘Love you. Love you, Matt. Love you.’”

Sterling had a gentle spirit and a way of making everyone around him feel cared for, his uncle says. Since the crash, the teen’s family has been overwhelmed by an outpouring of support from friends, teachers, neighbors and even people who only briefly knew the 15-year-old.

“One lady messaged me... He was over at her house last week, and he was so appreciative. Anytime she’d do anything. ‘He complimented my oatmeal.’ I’m like, ‘Who compliments oatmeal? Only Sterling would,’” Thomas said.

Thomas says that’s exactly who his nephew was – someone who made people feel seen, appreciated and loved.

Memories of Sterling have inspired a message his family has seen shared across social media and displayed at the growing memorial: “LLS” or “Long Live Sterling.”

Thomas says the phrase has taken on an even deeper meaning for him.

“A lot of the kids have been sharing LLS; it means Long Live Sterling,” he said. “I like that, but I also like LLS in the sense of ‘Live for Sterling’ because he was so kind.”

While Sterling’s family continues to grieve, Thomas hopes his nephew’s death also sparks conversations about e-bike safety. He believes communities could help prevent future tragedies by offering safety education and training for young riders.

“I do think there should be some requirements, safety tests, approvals that the parents are required to make sure their kid passes,” Thomas said. “I think it would be very, very powerful if communities would hold a Saturday training for e-bike protection and regulation.”

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.