It has been one year since Zackery Nazario left for school and never came home.

“Zackery was the best. He was the center of the party. Funny, intelligent, wanted to serve and protect his country,” his mom, Norma Nazario, told NY1.

What You Need To Know

  • Zackery Nazario died last February while subway surfing over the Williamsburg Bridge
  • Since his death, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has recorded at least five more suspected subway surfing deaths
  • All five of the people who died were younger than 17 years old
  • So far this year, around 30 people have been arrested for subway surfing, and 92% of them are minors

Zackery Nazario was killed while subway surfing on the J train.

He was hit by a beam as the train crossed the Williamsburg Bridge.

“I still can’t believe this has happened," Nadine Winters, a friend of the family, said.

Family and friends gathered around Norma Nazario Tuesday, marching across the bridge her son died on to remember him.

“It’s not about closure. It’s about keeping his name alive,” Nazario said.

Nazario said Tuesday that social media led to her son getting on top of that train.

The viral thrill has been popularized on apps like TikTok and Instagram.

“Social media and the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] failed my son and other kids. They are going to be accountable for [it]. And I’m not going to stop until they [are],” Norma said.

Since her son's death last February, the MTA has recorded at least five more suspected subway surfing deaths. Everyone who died has been younger than 17 years old.

Last year, the NYPD arrested more than 130 people for attempting to surf on trains. More than 95% of them were minors.

“I did it once or twice. I did it for the thrill. It was a social media thing,” said Renzo Pereya, who was Zackery Nazario's best friend.

Pereya said Tuesday that his friend's death was a wake-up call, but he does not know what signs other kids need.

“I remember getting the call that he had passed. And I remember running out of my house screaming at the top of my lungs. It’s horrying to hear that my best friend had died from something as stupid as this,” Pereya said.

In September, the MTA launched an anti-subway surfing campaign with messages developed by the youth played on trains. It is also doing other things, like using drones, to prevent subway surfing.

Norma Nazario released balloons for her son at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday evening, the exact time that her son died.

The release was also for the many other children who will never go home to their parents.

While Zackery Nazario won’t be able to serve his country as he had hoped, his mom does not want his death to be in vain.

“The MTA needs to step up and do what they have to do,” Norma Nazario said.

So far this year, around 30 people have been arrested for subway surfing, and 92% of them are minors.

“We’ve said it over and over — do not climb on top of trains because that won’t end well, and we implore parents to tell their children, and friends to warn friends — avoid tragedy by riding inside,” Richard Davey, the president of the New York City Transit Authority, said in a statement.