Teen Crash Victims Mourned by Family, Friends

Mourners gathered at Santana High School Thursday night to honor the teens who died in a fatal car crash Wednesday night

Friends and family gathered to grieve at Santana High School Thursday night over the untimely deaths of two local Santee students who were killed in a fatal, high-speed car crash late Wednesday night on eastbound Highway 52.

A candlelight vigil was held for two victims of the crash – Jayli James Campbell, 16, and Anthony Foreman, 18 – who died at the scene. The accident also left at least three other teenagers severely injured.

Campbell was a student at Santana High School. Foreman attended El Capitan High School.

The fatal crash involved two separate vehicles filled with teenagers, ranging in ages from 15 to 18. The two cars began racing on the freeway, going over 100 mph when one of the cars lost control and flipped, killing Campbell and Foreman. Another teen involved in the crash is now brain dead and on life support, while two others remain in critical condition.

More than 100 mourners showed up to the Thursday evening vigil with flowers and candles. The gathering was orchestrated through Facebook.

The mood was somber as friends and family remembered the teens.

“We shared a room. And now it’s going to be lonely without him,” said Campbell’s little brother, Paris between sobs at the vigil.

“He was nice to me. He was funny. A lot of people knew him,” the child continued.

Campbell’s friend Alana Silva said the outpouring of love at the gathering showed the impact Campbell made on his friends and fellow students.

”It's inspiring. That's how you can tell he was such a nice boy. Everybody loved Jayli. Everybody,” said Silva.

Campbell’s father, Robert, celebrated his son’s life and kind nature at the vigil as well.

“He's a good person. Always will be a good person,” said Campbell’s father.

“If I ever needed to talk to him, he’d talk to me. He was just great. I can’t believe it. I still can’t,” added Campbell’s sister, Alyssa.

Campbell’s family said he was planning to join the Air Force someday, but his real passion was music. He wanted to grow up and become a rapper.

A fundraiser for the Campbell family to cover burial costs will be at Eastbound Bar and Grill 10053 Maine Ave. in Lakeside at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the father of one of the other critically injured victims posted an update on his Facebook page about his daughter’s current state.

He said the 15-year-old female victim is “still in a coma,” adding that there’s “nothing to do except wait.”

The father’s post continued: “[Doctors are] going to try a few changes such as change her pain meds, give her a feeding tube, and try to put her in sitting position. Depending on her reactions means a step forward or a step back. Let’s hope forward.”

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