WAUKESHA, Wis. - A Waukesha family is mourning the sudden death of its oldest son and asking the community for help as it faces an uncertain path forward. On July 6, 22-year-old Noah Bautch left the family home where he had lived since he was 5 years old. He never returned.

Bautch Family Noah Bautch

His family says Noah was the pedestrian struck and killed along Highway 164 near Lawnsdale Road in the Village of Waukesha.

According to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office, the Waukesha County Communications Center received multiple reports of a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash at approximately 2:07 p.m. Noah suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Watch: Waukesha family seeks community support after 22-year-old son is killed on Highway 164

Waukesha family seeks community support after 22-year-old son is killed on Highway 164

The Wisconsin State Patrol, Big Bend Police Department and Village of Waukesha Fire Department assisted the sheriff's office. Investigators have not publicly said what led to the crash, and the case remains under investigation.

Bautch Family Bautch Family

Noah's father, Patrick Bautch, said deputies came to the family's home to deliver the news.

 It was shocking and I guess news I never thought I'd ever hear,  Patrick Bautch said.

TMJ4 Patrick Bautch

Noah was the oldest of eight children. His younger siblings were with their father when TMJ4 visited the family, but they were too overwhelmed by grief to speak about their brother.

Patrick Bautch said no previous hardship prepared him for the pain of losing a child.

 I've gone through some low times in my life, but nothing compares with this, to lose a child,  Patrick Bautch said.

He described the loss as feeling as though part of him also died.

 It literally feels like a part of me died, like I've never felt so close to death before that someone so close as my oldest son, my first born son, has died and,  Patrick Bautch said.

Bautch Family Noah Bautch and Sister

Patrick Bautch said grief has affected each member of the family differently and can return without warning.

 It kind of go

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