Pegues family creates D1 Life Foundation and 5k honoring son’s legacy

AUBURN, Ala. (WSFA) - A family suffering an unimaginable loss turned their mourning into a means to help others.

Nearly three years ago in June of 2022, Dylan Pegues lost his life after being electrocuted when his car ran into a telephone pole.

He was a standout soccer player at Auburn High School, a 4.0 student, and had started his own photography business at just 17-years-old.

“Dylan was one of those that got up every day, very disciplined, worked hard. We called him an old soul because he just wasn’t your typical 17-year-old,” said Debbie Pegues, Dylan’s mother.

In his memory, his family created the D1 Life Foundation, aiming to inspire others to raise their level of love, kindness, and generosity towards others while also leading others to Christ.

“Even though Dylan was an athlete, living a D1 life doesn’t require you to be an athlete,” said Gary Pegues, Dylan’s father. “You can be just a student. You can be in different clubs in things like that. It’s more about living the life that we strive to live.”

Bill Ferguson, who coached Dylan at Auburn High for two seasons, has invited Dylan’s parents, Gary and Debbie, multiple times to speak to his team.

“It’s really easy to get kind of egocentric and self-focused but I think that they’re able to bring in a perspective that your time is limited regardless and you can do a lot of amazing things with that time,” Ferguson said.

The foundation gives out $20,000 in scholarships annually.

Saturday, the foundation will hold its second 5k run, where NFL Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware will lead off the race. Ware played at Auburn High as well under Dylan’s grandfather, Bill McCall.

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