A teenager who attended a local high school in Arlington, Virginia, died Friday in a car crash and another teenager is facing charges, authorities say.
The teenage victim has been identified as Braylon Meade, a senior at Washington-Liberty High School, according to an email from the school.
Police responded to reports of a two-car crash in the area of Old Dominion Drive at Williamsburg Boulevard in the Rock Spring neighborhood at about 12:30 a.m. on Friday, Arlington County police said in a release.
At the scene, police found Meade's sedan as well as the other driver's SUV. The suspect's car was unoccupied and on fire. It was later extinguished by rescue personnel.
According to police, Meade was attempting a U-turn on Old Dominion Drive when a second male teen driver, who was speeding, struck Meade's car.
Police said they believe the other driver, charged with DUI and involuntary manslaughter, had been drinking. Their identity was not immediately released.
Meade was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
In his 29 years as a basketball coach, Robert Dobson told News4 hearing that one of his students had been killed is one of the hardest moments he’s ever faced. He’d coached Meade for four years.
“Words can’t explain how broken I am right now," Dobson said. “I fell to the floor, and my wife is like, ‘What is going on?’ and I couldn’t even tell her. That’s how, just, broken I was.”
Dobson hopes others will think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking.
“Please don’t drive that way... you rip somebody’s heart out when this takes place. My heart right now is hurting. It’s broken," he said.
Meade's jersey number was 22, and Dobson says they’ll have his jersey on the bench for every game they play this season.
“He would want us to continue to play. He would want us to compete like he competes," he said. "That’s my message to my guys. Meade would want us to continue to play basketball.”
In an email to the school's community, principal Tony Hall shared the news of Meade’s passing as well as grief resources for students.
“Braylon was a beloved member of the Washington-Liberty family, and impacted the lives of many of our students and staff members over the years,” Hall wrote. “Braylon was a scholar and an athlete, having played basketball and football for our school. We all feel his loss deeply.”
Hundreds attended a candle light vigil for the teenager on Sunday at Washington-Liberty High School organized by family and friends.
“The response that you see here tonight doesn’t surprise me,” a teary Hall said Sunday. “This is an outstanding community. I love this community. The people here are so very gracious to one another, in times of celebration and in times of grief.”
In the time since the incident, many people from across the school’s community have shared tributes to Meade on social media.
“The WL Basketball family is devastated. Braylon Meade, teammate, brother and son, was heart and soul of this team. Our prayers are with his family. #22forever @WLHSAthletics," @WLBoysBasketba1 tweeted.
“Thoughts and prayers with the Meade family," @WLFootball tweeted.
"Braylon, here you are back in the 9th grade shining like the star you are now. Our hearts are broken. @GeneralsPride @Principal_WLHS," @lsototeach tweeted.
The school said it will have counseling available for students on Monday.
