OVERLAND PARK, KS (KCTV) -
All day long Sunday, classmates of a 17-year-old Olathe East High School senior have been dropping off flowers to remember their friend.
Overland Park police haven't released the victim's name, but friends identified him as Nate Trinkle.
"Sweetest guy ever. Always had a smile on his face," classmate Mackenzee Gray said.
"Always dedicated to whatever he did. He worked so hard," classmate Keauna Smith said.
Gray and Smith can't believe he's gone.
"This stuff always happens to other people. Not someone you know," Smith said.
By the time Overland Park police got to the scene on 143rd Street west of Quivira Road just after 11 p.m. Saturday, Trinkle was already dead.
According to witnesses, a black Isuzu Amigo was traveling west on 143rd Street from Quivira Road when the vehicle began weaving on the roadway. Witnesses said Trinkle was hanging out the front seat passenger window before the crash.
Police say witnesses saw the Isuzu hit a tree and a guardrail.
Trinkle's classmates say his death will make them think differently the next time they are behind the wheel.
"Driving slow. I didn't go over 40, and I'm scared to drive now. It is weird. Anything can happen," Gray said.
However, his classmates will make sure to remember him throughout their senior year.
"Everything we do this year will definitely be for him. Football game, soccer game, he was involved in everything. He wrestled, played football, baseball, everything... an all-around athlete," Gray said.
The driver and a rear seat passenger, both 17-year-old girls, where transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
The Overland Park Traffic Safety Unit is continuing its investigation.
A candlelight service was held at Olathe East at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday for Trinkle.
Copyright 2012 KCTV (Meredith Corp.) All rights reserved.
