"If you ever met him once you knew what kind of person he was. He just was outstanding," says Jason Ray's great-aunt, Wanda Vice.

Ray's young life was cut short Friday when he was hit by an SUV.

"It's just something we didn't expect. It's a real bad tragedy," said Vice.

His aunt says the 21 year old was an inspiration and that he touched a lot of people.

"He loved churchwork," said Vice.

Vice says the six-foot-five Ray was asked to play basketball but he chose to support the team as the mascot instead.

"He loved Chapel Hill and the ball team," said Vice.

Ray was hit from behind while walking along a New Jersey highway. Just hours later North Carolina played in the NCAA tournament.

"He was into this tournament. Of course he didn't get to go that night," said Vice.

Doctor's told Ray's parents, Charlotte and Emmitt, that his injuries had left him with severe brain damage. And yesterday they made the difficult decision to take their son off life support.

"He's an organ donor. They said five people wanted his organs," said Vice.

So even in his death he is helping others. His funeral will be in North Carolina but he will be buried at the Elizaville Cemetery, in Fleming County.