Oldham County boy killed in crash was remembered by teammates at baseball game

It was an emotional scene Friday night at a ball field in Lyndon as teammates of a 10-year-old Oldham County boy who died last weekend gathered to remember their friend.

Last Saturday, Jake Luxemburger was driving an SUV driven by his grandmother. Their vehicle was struck by a car being pursued by a Kentucky State Trooper, and Jake was killed.

On Thursday, Trey Luxemberger buried his 10-year-old son.

A day later, he was back on the field helping coach Jake’s baseball team, the Bananas.

Bananas head coach Jonathan Moore says it was Jake’s father who insisted the boys keep playing.

“When I was at his house on Sunday with his family, he said, ‘Jon, you have to play. “Jake would want you to play, so you have to go out and play,” said Moore, who was there at Jake’s house. Dad taught the team a life lesson about dealing with grief.

“Every single kid on my team that came to the viewing sat down with him at eye level and let them know how special it was for Jake,” Moore said.

According to Kentucky State Police, a trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Interstate 71, but the driver, 23-year-old Tymetrius Walter, sped off. A high-speed chase ensued.

It ended when Walter crashed into the SUV Jake’s grandmother was driving. Jake was a passenger.

Jake died from his injuries, but his grandmother survived. She attended Friday night’s game wearing a neck brace.

Walter is charged with murder.

Back at the ballpark on Friday night, one of Jake’s friends, Ben, had taped “Luxemburger” over his own last name. Ben also covered his own number with Jake’s number 3.

“They would all play as No. 3 Jake Luxemberger today if they could,” Moore said.

Jake loved the Louisville Cardinals.

Louisville head baseball coach Dan McDonnell wears the same number as Jake: No. 3.

McDonnell and several of his college players, including three from Oldham County, spoke to the team before the game.

Then the coach invited Jake’s father, mother Kate and sister Rylee to be his guests at a baseball game in Louisville.

“Bring out the whole team. Have the kids run out to hear the national anthem and throw out the first pitch. We would like to honor Jake and you,” McDonnell said.

“It would be an honor, Coach,” Trey replied.

Before the first pitch, Rylee Luxemburger stepped in as the honorary leadoff hitter. Rylee then led the bases to honor her brother.

“His sister is a freshman at South. They are just so strong. It’s the whole family,” Moore said.

In honor of Jake, Tyler Gillium was also in attendance at the game. He is the head coach of the Savannah Bananas minor league baseball team in Georgia.

Gillium told WLKY News he traveled to Louisville and met with Jake’s family.

“Banana Nation sticks together,” Gillium said.

Jake played in midfield for the Bananas. Before the game, his coach and teammates unveiled a sign on the fence near Jake’s position.

“This will be Jake Luxemberger’s midfield as long as Lyndon Recreation exists,” Moore said.

Before it was time to play ball, Jake’s father, Trey, walked to midfield, got down on one knee, and touched his son’s newly unveiled banner.

When the game started, the Bananas batted first. One player hit a home run. Jake’s father was a coach first.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Bananas took the field.

A lone player, one of Jake’s former teammates, ran toward midfield. The boy was wearing Jake’s baseball cap and glove.

He laid them on the turf to honor a 10-year-old who will forever be an angel in the outfield.

Monday, September 25th would have been Jake’s 11th birthday. All Oldham County students were encouraged to wear red in honor of Jake and his Louisville Cardinals fan base.

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Several fundraisers have been launched to help the Luxemburg family. To donate, click here or here.