Services announced for 10-year-old killed in Plainville highway crash as family tries to recover

Services have been announced for a 10-year-old Massachusetts boy killed in a crash late last month.

Brockton Downey School fifth grader Jaylen Bush-Victorian was killed in a collision on August 25th. The crash also resulted in serious injuries to his siblings who attend Brockton schools and his parents, including his mother who serves as a paraprofessional at the Barrett Russell Early Childhood Center.

According to family, Bush-Victorian’s surviving family members are recovering at a relative’s home.

“They are emotionally and physically scarred and have a long road to recovery ahead of them.”

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to cover funeral expenses, medical supplies, and essential needs for Jaylen’s family.

A woman who stated she was a faculty member at Downey gave some insight into the type of child Jaylen was.

“Jaylin had golden brown eyes. Eyes so beautiful you would stop to look at them. Also, the sweetest and most innocent smile. And every day while I was holding the door for bus dismissal, he would give me a hug. A fourth grader without a thought stopping to hug me. God gained a perfect angel truly with Jaylin.”

According to Tim McGuirk of Massachusetts State Police, the preliminary information indicates that at approximately 8:30 p.m., 42-year-old Michael Escolas of Oxford was traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 1 south in a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which he allegedly stole from a parking lot at Gillette Stadium. Escolas rear-ended a Nissan Altima stopped at a red light near the intersection of Route 1 and Interstate 495 in Plainville.

The Nissan was carrying Bush-Victorian and his five family members. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

The crash also resulted in damage to 4 cars in addition to the Nissan (including the Jeep). State Police working the Kenny Chesney concert at Gillette Stadium responded to the scene.

According to court records, Escolas was arraigned in Wrentham District Court and charged with motor vehicle homicide with OUI liquor, OUI liquor, second offense, larceny of a motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, marked lanes violation, state highway traffic violation, speeding and nine counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Escolas is being held on $100,000 bail.

The visitation for Jaylen Bush-Victorian is scheduled for Saturday September 14, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Second Church of The Nazarene, 44 Moultrie Street, Dorchester, MA. A celebration of life will take place after the visitation at 11:00 a.m.