A four-year-old East Peoria boy is dead and his father is in jail after a motorcycle crash on Saturday. Authorities say the boy's father was riding his motorcycle when he ran into his son, which led to his death. Family members say the incident was a freak accident.

Friends and family members are in tears, remembering 4-year old Ashton Wells.

"He was just perfect. He was the smartest kid in the world.
I mean he knew his ABCs He was only 4-years old. He would have been somebody," Ashton's Grandfather Terry Blanch says.

That's until Saturday afternoon when Ashton was riding his bicycle in this now empty Hundman Lumber parking lot. Authorities say his father Michael Wells was riding his motorcycle and ran into his son.

The 21 year old East Peoria man is being held at the Peoria County jail on 5 charges including aggravated reckless driving and operating a vehicle on one wheel.

Ashton's grandfather filled his backyard with Ashton's toys. He remembers memories of his grandson but he along with the rest of his family mostly believe Michael should not be in jail.

"He didn't mean to do what he did, what happened happened and he should not be sitting in jail right now," Blanch says.

Family members say they are already crushed by Ashton's death.
His grandfather tries to remember Ashton's smile as he played in the tree house he built for him. They feel now is the time for the entire family to be in mourning together.

"He don't need to be in jail, he's already suffering. He's going to suffer the rest of his life," Blanch says.

Because the life of little Ashton Wells was taken away, in what loved ones are calling a freak accident.

Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says Ashton Wells died from multiple injuries and an autopsy is scheduled for Monday. That's also when Michael Wells is scheduled to appear in court.