Mason Nelson Obituary, and Death: What Happened to Harpers Ferry Boy?

Mason Nelson was a 14-year-old boy from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, who loved baseball, his family, and his faith. He was a freshman at Ball High School in Galveston, Texas, where he had moved with his father, Reid Nelson, a few months ago. On Friday, September 16, 2022, Mason was riding in a Jeep with three other teens and an adult after a baseball practice, when a white Toyota SUV driven by a suspected drunk driver crashed into them at high speed.

Mason died at the scene, while two other passengers in the Jeep were critically injured. The driver of the SUV, Keith Brazier, 28, was arrested on a charge of murder and ordered jailed on $500,000 bond. Brazier had a history of three previous DWI convictions and had been released from prison on parole just a few hours before the fatal collision.

Mason Nelson Accident: A Tragic Loss for the Community

Mason Nelson’s death shocked and saddened his friends, family, and community, who remembered him as a funny, kind, and talented young man. A vigil was held in his honor on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at the Ball High School baseball field, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects and share their memories of Mason.

His father, Reid Nelson, spoke of how proud he was of his son and how much he missed him. “He was my best friend, but I had no idea just how awesome he was,” Reid said, according to ABC13. “He touched so many lives in such a short amount of time.”

Mason’s pastor, Josh Surratt, told KHOU11 that Mason was a devout Christian who had a strong relationship with God. “He was always talking about his faith, always inviting people to church, always praying for people,” Surratt said. “He was just a light in this world.” Mason’s friends said he was a great baseball player who dreamed of playing in the major leagues.

He was also a fan of the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals, and had recently attended a game with his father. “He loved baseball more than anything,” his friend, Parker Nelson, said. “He was always smiling, always cracking jokes, always making people laugh.”

A Call for Justice and Change

Mason’s death also sparked outrage and calls for justice and change, as many questioned how Brazier was able to get behind the wheel after multiple DWI convictions and a recent parole release. According to Fox 26, Brazier had been sentenced to four years in prison in 2021 for his third DWI offense, but was granted parole after serving only six months. He was released from prison at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 16, 2022, and was involved in the crash that killed Mason at 6 p.m. that same day. Galveston police said they suspect Brazier was drinking and driving at the time of the accident, and that they found alcohol containers in his SUV.

Mason Nelson’s family and supporters demanded that Brazier be held accountable for his actions and that the laws and policies regarding drunk driving be reformed to prevent such tragedies from happening again. “He needs to pay for what he did,” Reid Nelson said of Brazier, as reported by the New York Post. “He took my son’s life. He took a piece of me.”

Mason’s aunt, Jennifer Nelson, created a petition on Change.org to urge the Texas governor and legislators to pass stricter laws against drunk driving, such as mandatory ignition interlock devices, longer prison sentences, and higher fines. The petition has gained over 15,000 signatures so far. “We need to make a change,” Jennifer Nelson wrote. “We need to save lives. We need to honor Mason.”

Obituary: A Legacy of Love and Faith

Mason Nelson may have left this world too soon, but he left behind a legacy of love and faith that will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. His family and friends said they find comfort in knowing that he is in heaven with God, and that they will see him again someday.

They also said they hope that his story will inspire others to cherish their loved ones, follow their dreams, and live their faith. “He was a blessing to us all,” his friend, Parker Nelson, said. “He taught us how to love, how to laugh, how to live. He was an angel on earth, and now he’s an angel in heaven.”