An inspiring teen from Huntington who suffered from a rare disorder has died.
Eli Mollineaux, the Huntington High School sophomore who'd battled a rare mitochondrial disease called Pearson's syndrome, died Monday morning.
Pearson's causes severe muscle and neurological impairments.
Friends say they will remember the 15-year-old's positive demeanor.
"Every time you saw him in the hall, you never saw Eli with a frown or anything but a smile," says Huntington senior Allyson Arleo.
He wasn't expected to live past the age of 5.
Just last month, a video of Mollineaux went viral when he scored a ceremonial touchdown at a Huntington High School football game. A local business owner in the community also recently surprised Mollineaux and his family with a new minivan with a lift for his wheelchair.