Hundreds Gather At Placer High To Remember 2 Well-Liked Students Who Died Sunday
AUBURN (CBS13) - A tearful candlelight vigil was held Monday night in memory of two Placer County teens struck and killed by a suspected driver under the influence.
The crash happened Sunday evening on Highway 49, near Auburn. California Highway Patrol says the boys were walking on the shoulder of the road when they were struck.
They were students at Placer High School. And on Monday night, the community came together at the school to remember the two. This community is heartbroken; by all accounts, Trevor and Jared were great kids who were just being kids when they were killed Sunday.
Hundreds of friends, classmates and even strangers joined together on the campus quad recalling memories of two best friends Trevor Gaches and Jared Keller.
"They would just walk into class and make jokes or [be] messing around or hugging you or smiling," said Jessy Rich, a friend of the two.
"They were just super-good athletes; they just loved football," said Sam Bender, a teammate.
Sam says they were the life of the games.
"They were two popular kids; everybody knows them," he said.
Monday was the first day back at school since the teens were struck and killed while walking on the shoulder on highway 49. Investigators say a third friend was there and a managed to move out of the way.
Ciara Wild says he called her with the news.
"He said he didn't remember moving and said something like an angel pushed him out of the way," she said.
She says Placer high will never be the same.
"They were really great people and they didn't deserve to die," said Wild.
The California Highway Patrol says the driver is suspected of driving under the influence of an unknown drug. Investigators also say he sideswiped a car just prior to the deadly crash.
For students, this was a time to come together, light candles, write messages, and for remembering and grieving.
It's a long road of healing ahead for an entire community.