Seventeen-year-old Tyrenn Smith died in a car crash in Kent just one day before his scheduled plane trip to Phoenix to join his mother at their new home.

Smith, a junior at Kentwood High School in Covington, was a passenger in a single-vehicle crash the evening of June 2 along the West Valley Highway near Frager Road South. A SUV, driven by another 17-year-old boy, smashed into a light pole at a high rate of speed, according to Kent Police.

“Tyrenn was an amazing young man, an outstanding football player and loved nothing more then his family,” said Brenda Gammie, of Scottdale, Arizona, in a gofundme.com post to raise funds for Smith’s family. “Tyrenn’s mom just moved back home to Phoenix a few weeks ago and Tyrenn had a plane ticket on June 3 to Phoenix to join his mom and start their new adventure.”

Smith played running back and linebacker last season for Kentwood, according to hudl.com. He wore jersey number 31.

Friends and family attended a vigil for Smith on Wednesday, June 3 outside of CrossPointe Community Church in Covington.

‘Rest in love Tyrenn Smith, your community came out to support you tonight,” posted Lenny Gomez on Facebook. “From your immediate family, past and current school administrators, your past and current football coaches. To so many of your friends and teammates.”

Those gathered released balloons in tribute to Smith.

“Our community rallied for you tonight Tyrenn,” Gomez said. “Please watch over them all. A huge shout out to our ‘small community’ to come together for Tyrenn and his family. I’m so blessed to live in this community!”

Family and friends held a vigil for Tyrenn Smith on June 3 outside of CrossPointe Community Church in Covington. COURTESY PHOTO