James Pinko, 38, on April 23rd was biking around Hill Field Road near the Layton Hills Mall when he was hit by a vehicle exiting I-15. He died later at the University of Utah hospital.

Pinko liked to work and hang out with other BMX riders and enthusiasts at the 5050 Bike & Skate shop in Layton.

“BMX was always an outlet that we had. Somewhere we just went, something we did,” said Tristen Cooper, Pinko’s friend. “We didn’t think about it, it’s just what we did.”

His friends still can’t fathom that he’s gone, but there’s one place where they feel closest to him: the skate park in Ellison Park.

“Since the day it opened, he’s been there at least weekly, if not every day,” said Fletcher.

His friends put together a GoFundMe to help his family with funeral expenses. They also hope to rename the park in honor of him.

“Really he’s such an iconic part of that skatepark,” said Buckley. “I can’t think of anyone else that is more deserving of having a skatepark named after them.”

His friends will remember him for many things: his art, talent, eccentric personality, and camaraderie. There was something special about Pinko that made people’s spirits soar, and his friends feel as though future skaters and BMX riders need to know that.