ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Oakleaf High School students wore red to school Tuesday to pay their respects to 16-year-old Keondre Moss, who reportedly died when the vehicle he was in crashed into a tree just two miles away from the school Monday afternoon.
Red was Moss' favorite color, according to friends.
"[Keondre] was a very sweet and good young man, who loved his 3-year-old niece who had a birthday on Sept. 10," loved ones said in a GoFundMe page set up for Moss' family. "He leaves behind a grieving mother, big sister, niece and many friends here in Orange Park, FL plus many, many family and friends back home in Kansas City, KS."
The GoFundMe page was made to raise money for Moss' funeral expenses in Kansas City, where he and his family are from. Funds will also go toward Moss' mother and sister to help with any expenses coming from medical bills and missed days of work due to the incident.
The crash happened at 2 p.m. Monday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Witnesses told police that the car the teens were in was traveling at a high speed and possibly racing two other vehicles.
Moss was in the vehicle with two other students, who friends identified to First Coast News as Brian Ransom and Tajuan Richey.
"I just feel like he [Moss] would've been proud," Zoe Parland, a friend of Moss, said. It was Parland's idea for students to wear red. "He would've been proud. He would've been happy to see how many people care about him and wore red for him."
Friends were shocked when they heard about Moss' death.
“When I first heard about it [the crash] I didn’t know much," Shamari Williams, who played basketball with Moss, said. "I just thought, 'Well dang, he just got in a car accident. It’s probably not that bad,' but after seeing the news and pictures, that the car was crushed. I was really, really sad. Just seeing the pictures just had me really, really depressed."
The Clay County School District released a statement confirming the two surviving students were hospitalized with serious injuries, though they did not name the teens:
“We are deeply saddened to learn that a junior at Oakleaf High School has passed away due to a car accident in the Oakleaf community this afternoon. It has been confirmed that two other students were in the vehicle as well and both have suffered serious injuries. The District will provide grief counseling services at Oakleaf High School’s campus beginning tomorrow to support students, staff and family members during this very difficult time. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones. Our entire school district is saddened by this devastating news. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as we work through the pain and emotions of this tragic loss.”
Friends and family told First Coast News a balloon release will be held in memory of Moss the school's Friday night football game.
Students also told First Coast News a vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the crash site.
To help raise funds to send Moss back to Kansas City, click here.