Austin Miller’s family gathered around a computer to watch one of the early works of the budding 15 year old filmmaker. “He wrote it, shot it, directed it, did all the editing,” said his mother, Stephanie Miller. “He was unbelievably creative.”

But the family watched the short film with damp eyes. Austin Miller was killed Monday afternoon as he rode his bike home from school at the Arts and Communication Magnet Academy. The teen was hit by a TriMet bus that was pulling into a stop at on Farmington just west of Murray.

Austin's mother said her son’s talents spread beyond film. He was a talented writer of fiction and poetry who one day wanted to publish novels. Classmates said Miller could have achieved that goal.

“There were just so many things he didn’t get a chance to do,” Stephanie said.

A makeshift memorial at the accident site continues to grow. The case is still under investigation by both Beaverton Police and TriMet.

"We talked numerous times about safety," said Stephanie Miller, Austin's mom. "He knew what he was doing. He was very safe." She said Austin rode the stretch of Farmington Road twice a day.

His parents say Austin was a dedicated bicycle commuter who stressed safety. He always wore a helmet, and he changed his route to school after his mother voiced concerns about the heavy traffic.

"I told him you need to be really safe around drivers, because they weren't going to pay attention to him," said Miller. "He was in the bike lane where he was supposed to be, that's all I know."

More: Austin was budding writer, filmmaker

Fellow cyclists stood along Farmington Road Tuesday night holding signs to raise awareness about bike safety. They also installed a "ghost bicycle" in memory of Austin. One of the cyclists said they want to, "let people know that those of us you see out here on our bikes might be your neighbor, we might be your co-worker, we might be a friend or relative, and hope that will raise some awareness so we don't have to do this again."

The crash was the 77th recorded in the area in the past two years. Beaverton Police said 16 of the crashes resulted in injuries, but the numbers were about average.

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Cyclist Karl Johnson said the intersection at Farmington and Murray is dangerous, especially as riders head south on Murray. The bike lane disappears before the streets meet, leaving cyclists with two risky options. “You can either take the lane so they don’t get too close to you, or you can ride up on the curb which is also dangerous because people don’t see you when you’re entering traffic, ” Johnson said.

Stephanie Miller said she’s reserving comment on what she thinks should be done with the intersection until all the facts are in.

She knows it won’t bring her son back. “We just miss him so much,“ she said.

Austin was a student at the Arts & Communication High School in Beaverton. Maureen Wheeler with the Beaverton School District said he was a well-liked student who was involved with theater and film.

"Austin was a 10th grader there, and had attended for the past two years... a delightful young man," she said. "It's a hard one today for the students and staff."

kgw.com

Austin Miller in a photo from his school.

Fellow classmates said Tuesday Austin was a great writer who had already been published. "It's especially upsetting thinking of all the things he could have done," said Maya Powloski, Austin's classmate. "He could have published novels. I've read some of the short stories he published. He's really good."

Austin's family set up a memorial fund in his honor. Austin's mother said she intends to use the money to establish a scholarship for promising young writers.

A memorial service was scheduled for Wednesday, February 20 at Rolling Hills Church in Tualatin. The service starts at 6 p.m.

Witnesses saw boy before crash

According to TriMet passenger Robert Summers, the boy was run over by the bus. He said there were 14 passengers on the bus at the time and he could see the boy prior to the crash. Police interviewed witnesses as well as the driver, Sandra Mann.

Two witnesses also told KGW that they saw the bus swerve abnormally to the right just before the boy was struck.

The 53-year-old driver has been working for TriMet for nearly six years. She was put on leave following the crash and was very shaken up and talking to counselors, according to authorities. Police closed Farmington Road rush hour traffic backed up for miles in the area.

Earlier that same day, a bicycle commuter was struck while in a rotary by a driver going the wrong way.

Also: Bike commuter struck by wrong-way driver