GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Grief counselors are helping Gwinnett County students deal with the loss of three classmates in a car crash.
A fourth Meadowcreek High School student is fighting for his life in the hospital.
Naseer Alwakeel, Nelson Umazor and Brandon Martinez were in a car driving down Steve Reynolds Boulevard Friday after a high school football game. They swerved to avoid a crash and hit a tree, according to authorities.
A fourth friend, Mesiah Allen, 17, survived and is still in the hospital.
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Alwakeel was laid to rest on Monday. It was an emotional time for students, friends and family among them, Senior Class President Ermine Hasnovic.
"They always told me to live life to the fullest. So I’m going to live on for them," Hasnovic said.
Friends of the students told Channel 2's Sophia Choi this is a big loss.
"Their leadership, their motivation and encouragement. They were always such high spirited kids. They were always just happy. You never saw them sad," Hasnovic said.
Police say Martinez swerved on Steve Reynolds Boulevard to avoid a car and hit a tree. The area is now marked with a memorial.
"It’s brought the school together, and the community together. We’ve become more of a family than ever before, I guess," Hasnovic explained.
His family says the crowd that paid its respects is proof Alwakeel made an impact during his short life.
"The best of us. I mean if you wanted to paint a picture of a perfect child in every sense of the way, that’s Naseer," said Alwakeel's uncle, Rafiq Sabir.
We watched all morning Sunday as this memorial for three beloved Gwinnett Co. high school students killed in a crash on Friday grew. 💐 pic.twitter.com/jfQN6hewsC
— Rikki Klaus (@RikkiKlaus) October 30, 2017
A nearby barber shop that the students frequented will collect donations for the victims’ families.
Video shows Umanzor at the barber shop on the day he died.
Gwinnett County Schools gave the following statement to Channel 2 Action News:
"We have been notified that four Meadowcreek High School students were involved in a car accident last night. Tragically, three of the students did not survive and the fourth has been hospitalized.
"The students involved in the accident, three seniors and one junior, have been very involved at the school. We know the loss of three of these young, promising lives will be difficult for students and staff, alike. The school will have its counselors and emergency response teams at the school on Monday to assist those who need help coping with this loss. In the meantime, our prayers are with all of these students' families and the Meadowcreek community as they deal with this loss."
GoFundMe pages have been set up for Umanzor and Naseer Alwakeel.
Cox Media Group
