Hundreds gather in Fayetteville to honor E.E. Smith football players days after fatal car crash

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- The rain did not stop hundreds from honoring three E.E. Smith High School football players whose lives were tragically cut short earlier this week.

The three victims -- 17-year-old Trevor Merritt, 17-year-old Nicholas Williams, and 18-year-old Jai-hyon Elliot -- died in a crash Wednesday night on Rosehill Road.

The driver of the car, Dymond Monroe, was life-flighted to UNC Medical Center with very serious injuries.

Friends, family, and teammates attended a vigil in Westover Park that ended in a balloon release.

Merritt's father, Jamaar Merritt, thanked everyone who has been supporting them since the tragedy and said the family has been doing their best to get through the difficult times.

ALSO SEE | E.E. Smith community reeling after 3 students die in crash: 'Hard to comprehend'

"It's like a dream we never wake up from. Like, this feels like a dream," he said. "I was just surprised at the amount of people in the rain. People still came out to support it."

He spoke with ABC11 about his smart, strong, and passionate son.

"He was passionate. Real passionate about football," Merritt said. "Good kid. He wore his heart on his sleeve, like he didn't, he didn't put up with no mess."

The vigil and balloon release took place at a special place for the three teens. Westover Park was where they all started their football careers with the Carolina Athletic Academy.

ALSO SEE | Fayetteville to investigate wreck-prone Rosehill Road after 3 students die in crash

Their youth football coaches, Daniel Ritchie, Antonio Diaz-Baker, Thomas Green, and Joey Jones, said the effect these teens had on the community was reflected by how many people came out to honor them.

"It just goes to show you how much of an impact youth sports has on the community," said Ritchie.

Diaz-Baker said he remembers the teens as young boys who played for the right reasons.

"They played the game to have fun," he said. "They play the game for the right reasons, and they play the game fast and physically."

Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App

Green said the teens have left a lasting legacy on not just their team, but the entire Fayetteville community.

"I love the idea of just having these boys and this passion," he said. "For me, that's what they left for us. They left that work effort and passion. That's all I keep thinking about."

Jones left the crowd with an important message.

"Let them know that you love them, because in the blink of an eye, you could have something like this happen," he said.

On Tuesday, South View High School will also offer a pregame tribute, including a balloon release. E.E. Smith's game against South View, originally scheduled for Friday, was postponed.