Community Mourns Teen Killed in Crash

17-year-old high school athlete Patrick Gill died in a single-vehicle crash in Winchester, Mass.

Grief, sadness and heartbreak seem to have consumed the town of Winchester, Massachusetts, as several hundred friends and loved ones gathered at St. Mary's Church Saturday night to remember the life of 17-year-old Winchester High School senior Patrick Gill.

"It was just overwhelming, there were just so many people there, it was just a place for people to be together," said Karen Rockhold, an assistant librarian at the high school and a parent to two boys who were friends with Gill. "Especially the kids - when something like this happens, they just need each other."

A memorial adorned with a lacrosse stick, ball cap and flowers mark the spot where a young life was taken too soon. Gill was killed when officials say he lost control on Manomet Road near High street at about 7 a.m. Saturday, striking a tree and then a fence.

Gill was rushed to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, but he died from his injuries.

"I think everyone's just in shock right now," said Gill's friend, Tomas Munson. "Can’t believe what happened."

"Didn't believe it, I still don't believe it," said another friend, Marty Bermejo. "I feel like I'm going to see him tomorrow."

Gill was a popular three-sport athlete at Winchester High School – a wide receiver and captain on the football team, as well as a forward in both lacrosse and hockey.

"I moved here in eighth grade, I played hockey with him for as long as I've been here," said Bermejo. "He was just the best kid, he always put a smile on my face. Even when we were losing, you'd just look at Gill and he'd say something funny or do something and he would just cheer you up, brighten your day, then you'd go out and play hard for him because he was just a great teammate and he would do the same for you."

Gill leaves behind his parents, a twin sister, a younger brother and an entire community, grieving the loss of such a promising young life.

"He was just a great kid, had a real bright future ahead of him," said Munson. "One of the funniest kids you're ever going to meet, one of the nicest kids you're ever going to meet. It's just a shame that this had to happen to someone like him."

In a statement, Winchester Public Schools Superintendent William McAlduff expressed his condolences for the teen's family.

"This is a great loss to the Gill family and the entire Winchester community," wrote McAlduff. "The days, weeks and months ahead will be difficult ones as we prepare to deal with this untimely loss."

Rockhold says she can't quite comprehend his loss, and neither can her children.

"I've seen Pat since he was a little kid and I see him every day," said Rockhold. "My older son is on the football team with him and my younger son idolized him as a lacrosse player. He took my son under his wing two years ago and taught him all he knows about lacrosse and my son - both my sons - have lost an idol today."

Grief counselors were at the high school Saturday and will return Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

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