HOUSTON -- A 12-year-old boy who died on the Gulf Freeway ran across it for fun, friends told KPRC Local 2.

Traveon LeBlanc was known for his trombone playing and a good heart.

Kendrake Jeffrey, a neighbor, spoke of his generosity. "When we didn't have food, he'd get bread and just give it to me," he said.

Until last Sunday, he and his family lived in the Bristol Apartments.

His love of sports is how friends say Tra started crossing the busy Gulf Freeway.

"Usually see him and two other boys run across the road," said a schoolmate.

Christian Robledo, a neighbor, said, "He would tell everybody it was like a game, like football or something."

His so-called game turned fatal around 7 a.m. Thursday after his mom dropped him off to catch the school bus. Friends say Tra ran across the freeway near Edgebrook Drive, but this time he was hit by several cars. His body was scattered.

His mom found out he did not make it to his fifth-grade classes at Ron Schneider Middle School and filed a missing persons report Thursday evening, but it took another 24 hours for medical examiners to identify his remains.

On the last day before school let out for the holidays, students and faculty found out.

"Everybody was in shock," said Jessica Novarro, the Schneider Booster president, "We took up a collection that was immediately taken to the family."

The school administration said they would have crisis counselors on hand when school resumes Jan. 8.

Houston police said none of the drivers whose cars hit the boy stopped. They don't know who the drivers were or how many times he was hit.