Star Athlete At John Carroll School Dies In Car Accident

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A star baseball player at The John Carroll School in Bel Air was killed in a car crash Thursday around 8 a.m.

There are so many words that were used to describe the John Carroll student, kind, funny, a teenager who's now gone.

There were heavy hearts at the vigil for Josh Hamer.

"Everyone was shocked and upset, disbelief. Class stopped, everything. The world just stopped, basically," Nick Collier said.

State police say Josh was a passenger in a car and his uncle was the driver as he tried to cross over two lanes. Another vehicle hit them.

As word spread of the tragedy, students at the catholic school took a knee. Others reminisced about his good deeds.

"Earlier this year he let me ahead of him to use the printer, I was like really late to turn something in, and he let me go in front of him," Rosemary Gillam said.

Josh was a sophomore at the John Carroll High School and baseball was a big part of his life. His teammates tell WJZ just the day before they were on the diamond talking about the season ahead.

"Just looking out there in center field, I was out there just yesterday (inaudible) balls with him, now come this morning, it just all changes in a snap of a fingers," Arri Stakias said.

On a windy cold night in Harford County, broken hearts had warm embraces, brought together by shared memories.

"He was one of those kids who knew how to change the lives of others around him always," Ryan Archibald said.

And as his team suits up number 25 is expected to be there in their hearts and at home plate.

"Having him there with us is going to help support us come together and heal as a group," coach Jeffrey Siler said.

School has been canceled for tomorrow but support staff will be there for students who may need to talk.

Police say josh's uncle may have failed to yield to oncoming traffic while making a left turn. Both he and the other driver had serious, but non life-threatening injuries.

The private Catholic school let students out at 1 p.m. Thursday and classes are cancelled Friday, though it will be open for students who need counseling and support in dealing with the loss. The Senior Retreat is also cancelled.

Maryland State Police are investigating the incident.

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