(Lexington) At the intersection of Pin Oak and Westwood, things looked normal for a Monday afternoon. But beneath it all, there were people in unspeakable pain.
“This has astonished me,” said Jim Jackson. “It has surprised everybody here, everybody's really hurt by it."
Jackson lives across the street from 300 Pin Oak Drive, the house where 20 year-old Brent Nachel once lived. One of his close friends, Kyle Paradise, lives next door. Monday, Paradise spent much of the afternoon grieving with friends over the death of his buddy from next door.
Said Jackson, “It's like a huge weight has landed on everybody's shoulders. It's like everybody out here is squatting 1,000 pounds. That's the only way I can describe it ... it's not just the two families involved, it's everybody."
For 18 year-old Kyle Paradise, who was driving while Brent was in the passenger seat at the time of their accident, the sadness is mixed with fear and uncertainty. Paradise has been charged with felony DUI after the State Highway Patrol said alcohol was present at the scene of the accident.
Kyle's family declined comment, but his neighbor across the street says there’s no way the 18 year-old was drinking.
“This kid is straight up,” said Jackson. “Until I see a blood-alcohol (level), I don't believe it."
As for Brent Nachel, a friend of his family says the 20 year-old was loved, plain and simple.
“He was everyone's kid,” said Bill Nichols. “You invite him into your house, you get to know him, and he's automatically part of the family."
Nichols also told us funeral arrangements have been made for Brent Nachel. Visitation is at Greenlawn Funeral Home, from 6 to 9 PM Tuesday. The funeral is at 10:00 Wednesday morning, also at Greenlawn.
The Nachels did not have life insurance for Brent, and are in need of help to pay for funeral arrangements. If you’d like to donate, call or visit any Midlands Bank of America and ask about the Brent J. Nachel Memorial Fund.