HAPPIER DAY: Ronnie Johnston, far left, his wife Kimberly and Ronnie’s son Kyle at Ronnie and Kimberly’s wedding Feb. 5. Below, Kyle was pronounced dead July 5 in Reno, a result of alcohol poisoning.
Photos courtesy Ronnie Johnston
By David Ryan Palmer
Assistant Editor
Kyle Johnston was 14 years old. He he loved fishing, the outdoors, motocross — you name it.
He was full of life and love, said his father and stepmother, Benicia residents Ronnie and Kimberly Johnston.
“He was well liked, and loved,” Ronnie said.
“He was a loving, happy kid. Very giving,” Kimberly said.
Kyle died over the Fourth of July weekend of a cardiac arrest and hypothermia — a result of alcohol poisoning, according to the Lyon County (Nev.) Sheriff’s Office.
The teen was found unconscious at about 4 a.m. on July 3 at Lake Lahontan by his uncle, Jess McCarthy, with whom Kyle had been camping. Kyle was taken to Renown Medical Center in Reno and was pronounced dead the morning of July 5.
The last time his father and stepmother saw Kyle was on Feb. 5, at Ronnie’s wedding. He and Kyle’s mother shared custody and Kyle “came down for holidays and for the summer,” Ronnie said.
Kyle was supposed to come to Benicia on the weekend of July 4, as he had every summer, Ronnie and Kimberly said. But his birth mother, Cheryl Kane, said he wanted to go camping with his uncle.
“We wanted him down here for his father’s birthday, but if he wanted to go camping then we were going to let him,” Kimberly said.
According to reports, on Saturday, July 2, Johnston went to a campsite about three sites away from the one he shared with his uncle. McCarthy didn’t know that Johnston had left their site, witnesses said, while the rest of Johnston’s family had reportedly already left the lake.
Witnesses said Johnston was drinking Everclear that night. The grain alcohol is between 75 and 95 percent alcohol by volume.
Deputies said the investigation is ongoing, and criminal charges may be filed to those who provided the alcohol to the 14-year-old.
Media in Nevada have reported that the teen had a blood-alcohol level of .40, five times the legal limit of .08, by the time he was found by McCarthy and airlifted to Reno.
Both Ronnie and Kimberly Johnston are grieving the loss of their teenaged son. “We can only hope that by putting this out there it’ll keep other teenagers from doing this,” Kimberly said.
“Don’t do it,” Ronnie said. “Don’t let peer pressure make you take those drinks.
“He’s going to miss out on girlfriends, on prom, on college. When you think about drinking, this is not where you want to be at the end of it.”
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Wow that’s so sad RIP Kyle
Very sad and tragic. Heart felt condolence to the families of this young man. But I am baffled to why the reporter of this article is so insensitive to the grieving family , in that picture that they chose of Kyle. I may be wrong. But
the family would probaly appreciate a picture that is a celebration of his life not just a of how Kyle looked while in the hospital.
The family provided both photos used in this story. Ed.
To expand:
The family said they wanted this, above all, to save lives. I quote Ronnie: “If this picture saves a life, so be it.”
It was published with their blessing.
-David Ryan Palmer
Kyle was a good freind of mine. Till this day I don’t belive that he is gone. He was one of the few people that could make me smile. I miss you kyle, I’m living high school for the both of us. I love you! goodbye buddy…
R.I.P kyle
I want to thank David palmer as well as Benicia Herald for runing this Add for Ronnie and I. It was Beautiful and it was what we asked for you to put in the paper Good job thanks a million! God bless David and the Benicia Herald Staff!!
Good to see that all is well with the story, good responses, to a tragic story. I just have seen it go the other way. lesson learned, in that what may appear to be unreasonable or offensive just may provoke a lesson to learn in prevention.
Ronnie, was Sylvia your mother? Gloria Lemas was mine and if Sylvia was yours, it has been a long time and I am sorry for your loss…..Contact me at mikecasagranda@gmail.com
Kyle will be missed greatly from the four MacLain-Stafford children. They enjoyed visiting Kyle any and every time he came to Benicia. He loved my 3 girls and they loved him. When Sylvia was still here and Kyle would come to visit she would always bring him over and we wld take the kids to the park, pixie playland,vacation bible school or they would swim in my pool from morning til night. He definately was a fun-loving, happy, talkitive young man with his whole life ahead of him. He was a mellow kid and we are going to miss him deeply. As YES we all were expecting him for the 4th of July holiday weekend. And it definately will be a warning to a whole lot of children who want to act older than they are, peer pressured, or whatever the case may be. I know that my own kids didnt even realize what ALCOHOL can do to a childs body when drank to extremes. Ronnie I am as well as all the kids love you and pray that you can grieve as you should, with peace and loving memories of your wonderful son. Darryl and I were just telling some memories and it brought him out of his breakdowns when he would just sit and cry for hours. He loved the young ladies kyle did. he would sit and talk to the girls all day and all night… “Remember Ronnie, I believe he went straight for Courtneys room the minute he got to my house…. I believe he “loved” Courtney… Just as much as all the girls loved him… He was a great kid, Ronnie if we can help you in anyway let me know. I know I have a lot of pictures of him and kids that your mom took and the church when they were at VBC. Our thoughts are with you at this time… Love Felicia, Courtney, Rachel, Amanda, and J.T. He was real good with J.T. adn all the kids remembered that the other day and all were very upset and crying. But then they have the fun memories too.
Ronnie, I haven’t seen you since middle school, I cannot imagine your pain.. Keep your head up old friend..
I’m baffled as to why the Uncle was charged if the boy snuck out? Many kids sneak away from their homes and parents aren’t charged for their wrong-doings. Don’t you think the Uncle is suffering too?
Just a guess based on experience covering these things, but the authorities may be charging him for supplying the alcohol. Details are few in the statement released today by the Lyon Co. DA. Ed.
We love an miss u Kyle we think bout u every day rest in peace bro
We miss u every day Kyle 1 year today
My uncle (ron carter) just told me what had happened & I wanted to say how sorry I am, from what my uncle says he was a very good kind boy, he was definently taken way too soon. Ron I am so sorry Im at a loss for words, but just remember he is in a wonderful place, always with you in your heart
I miss you kyle, hope they’re treating you great where ever you are. it’s almost two years, But, my memory of you is still here. i love you man. Tell whoever is taking care of you now, to love you the way we did!!!
Kyle has been one of my best friends since 3rd grade, we have been in each others class until middle school. Hes such a nice respectable person. I miss him so much. I love you Kyle ❤ So happy god gained such a wonderful angel.
Kyle was my Son’s good friend He used to stay over and they would play video games all night.He was a Good Boy.We wont forget Him.Love and Miss You Kyle..
Ronnie, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that as the days and years go by the tears will lessen as the memories bring smiles. Thank you for sharing this tragic life changing event in hopes that it may save atleast one life if not many. Love Frankie (Woods) Jessie