"I tell people, when I grow up, I want to be like my son," says Rob Cook, Daniel Cook's father.
Daniel was killed on Dec. 5, 2013 when his school bush collided with a dump truck at the intersection of Deer Flat and Happy Valley Roads. Daniel, a sixth-grader at the time, died of blunt force trauma.
"I started my truck this morning and the temperature gage in the truck said it was 19° out, and it was 19° out the morning we lost Daniel," Rob tells 6 On Your Side on the third anniversary of Daniel's death.
Rob says Daniel is remembered for the kindness he showed others.
"He loved and respected people," Rob says. "We heard of instances, or at least one instance, when someone was being bullied and picked on, actually, on the bus.... Daniel would invite this boy to sit with him instead of pick on him with the crowd. That's just the kind of heart he had."
In order to keep Daniel's memory alive in the community, the Cooks started a memorial toy drive. The drive was held over the weekend to provide Treasure Valley children in need with Christmas presents.
"Daniel cared. genuinely cared," Rob says. "I know he is pleased that we do this in honor of him."
Rob says the community can continue to honor Daniel by giving back this holiday season.
"I just ask people donate to Toys for Tots or whatever your local area might be doing for children," he says. "We wish this had never happened... We miss Daniel every day, but we also understand that regardless of the fact that this happened, there are things we can do to help other people."
