The man who struck and killed 11-year-old Jude Strickland while crossing the street sentenced to four years

It was an emotional day in court on Tuesday as the man who struck and killed 11-year-old Jude Strickland was sentenced to four years in prison.

The child’s family members were filled with mixed emotions and say they want to forgive the man, whose recklessness led to the boy’s death.

Jude Strickland’s family says it’s hard but they want to forgive the man who killed their son. “We trust that God will give us the strength to do what seems impossible, to forgive someone who caused the death of our son.”

11-year-old Jude Strickland was walking home from school on December first, 2020 when he was hit by a pickup truck. The driver, 28-year-old Brandon Aubert had blown through a red light, and sped through the intersection of Upper Gage at Royal Vista, even though there was a crossing guard in the middle of the road, directing children.

The court has heard that video surveillance from that day shows the crossing guard entering the intersection and blowing her whistle twice. Jude was the first child to step off the sidewalk and onto the road.

Jude’s grandfather says the boy was full of life, and would sometimes get up to no good with his three brothers, “they fought, but they loved one another fiercely and they miss him immensely.”

Today Aubert was sentenced to four years in prison and an 8-year driving ban. The man, who is now 30 cried in court, and in a previous appearance expressed his remorse to the Strickland family.

In the short 11 years of his life, Jude was a light. A fun-loving child who is missed immensely by his family and friends.

The family hopes that something positive will come out of this tragedy. “I hope this can deter other people from driving unsafely and recklessly in the future.”