5-year-old Jaylen Sloan was rescued at the scene of the accident in Milwaukee

Family and friends held a vigil Tuesday night for 5-year-old Jalen Sloan, who died in a crash after his father was driving under the influence, officials said.

The incident happened Friday around 8:00 p.m. in the 8100 block of West Hampton Avenue.

Jaylen and his twin brother Jaylon were driving their father’s SUV west on Hampton when their father hit two parked cars at a high rate of speed before crashing into a tree, according to a report from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Two booster seats were found in the back of the car, but it is believed the boys were not wearing seat belts because Jaylen was found in the front of the car and Jaylen “may have ejected” and died Sunday in hospital, the report says. Jaylon survived the crash and was released from the hospital by Tuesday, which was attended by about 60 people.

Witnesses said that the boys’ father, a 34-year-old man, appeared drunk. He was arrested and charges have not yet been filed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life,” said Teyra Harrielle, Jalen’s mother. “He was very happy, he was very silly, he was very playful, he was very smart, he was just wonderful. I have no words.”

Jaylen’s grandmother, Cassandra Harriell, said not only is this a tragedy for her family, but too often children suffer the consequences of the actions of adults.

“It’s just sad that we’re here again. How many more times? How many more children? How many more bad choices?” she said.

Cassandra Harriell, left, Jalen Sloan's grandmother, and Teayra Harriell, right, Jalen Sloan's mother, make a statement to the press during a memorial service for 5-year-old Jalen Sloan on Tuesday in Milwaukee. — Cassandra Harriell, left, Jalen Sloan’s grandmother, and Teayra Harriell, right, Jalen Sloan’s mother, make a statement to the press during a memorial service for 5-year-old Jalen Sloan on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

“My grandson has to be here. There’s no excuse, he has to be here,” she added. “If you are intoxicated, … you risk not only your life, but also the lives of other people.”

Cassandra Harrielle recalled happier memories of Jalen Sloan.

“He had the biggest smile,” she said. “Loved my brother. They were simply inseparable. And this is such a loss that he could have been in life.

“I will continue to fight for him until my last breath so that justice is done.”

A photo of Jaylen Sloan, 5, is seen on a tree during a memorial service Tuesday in Milwaukee. Sloan died in the accident on Friday.

As of Monday, 57 people had died in accidents in Milwaukee this year. according to the police. 76 people died last year.

Pastor Marquis Young of Greater Bethlehem Temple World Ministries said the fatal crashes are an example of some of the tragedies the Milwaukee community is experiencing.

“We have to be the ones to make the changes to prevent this from happening,” Young said. “Reckless driving, drunk driving, all kinds of reckless shootings, all kinds of different things that hurt our community. Therefore, we have to make a decision, … we have to make changes.”

Pastor Marquis Young (center) of Greater Bethlehem World Ministries holds disaster survivor Jaylen Sloan, 5, during a memorial service for Jaylen Sloan, 5, Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Jaylen’s family founded a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.

This article originally appeared on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 5-year-old Jaylen Sloan was rescued at the scene of the accident in Milwaukee