Hundreds of students gathered along a street in Kingston’s west end Friday afternoon to remember a young life cut short.
The impromptu vigil took place at the site along Bayridge Drive, near the Kingston airport, where 16-year-old Scott (Scottie) Legg lost his life in a two-vehicle crash two nights earlier.
Kingston police say at least eight others were injured in the crash, and they are still trying to determine how it happened.
Police estimated as many as 400 students from both Frontenac Secondary School, where Legg was a Grade 11 student, and Holy Cross Secondary School, which police say the teen attended in Grade 9, gathered to express their sorrow over the loss of a classmate.
Some classmates described Legg as a young man who was always happy and had a big smile, and loved high school sports.
The young mourners hugged, cried and placed dozens of flowers on a fence along the street where the October 21 evening crash occurred, as several police officers directed traffic around the scene.
Broken fencing and skid marks from the crash were still visible in the grass leading into a wooded area, north of Henderson Boulevard, where the fatal accident occurred.
The accident occurred at a bend in the road where Bayridge Drive runs parallel to the airport.
The Limestone District School Board had previously identified the teen who died in the tragic car crash.
The student died as a result of the collision, according to the board. The board said it received permission from the parents to release Legg’s name Thursday afternoon.
“This is a tragic loss and we offer our deepest sympathy and support to Scottie’s family and friends at this most difficult time,” a board statement said.
The board said it will be providing support to students and staff at various schools as long as needed.
“Families are being asked to acknowledge and support their student’s reactions and feelings, and to reach out for school or community support as needed,” the board said.
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The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board is also offering support to local schools for all students and staff.
The crash involved a red car and a dark-coloured SUV, police say.
Kingston police confirmed that Legg died at the scene of the collision.
Det. Dave Wein said the other injuries were non-life-threatening but could not say if anyone was in hospital. Wein said most of the others involved in the crash were young males.
Wein also could not say how many people were in each of the vehicles at the time of the collision.
Neighbours nearby said they heard screeches, then two loud bangs. One neighbour said she ripped off the boards of her back fence, which stood between her and the group of what she believed to be young people, so she could check on their safety.
The two cars involved in the collision were cleared away by Thursday afternoon, but a light standard, which had been completely wrenched from the ground remained on the side of the road.
A sewer grate had also been struck, and a fence had been mowed over. Neighbours say at least one vehicle landed in the brush on the west side of Bayridge Drive where bushes and trees were damaged.
Kingston police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.
Bayridge Drive was closed from Coverdale Drive to Henderson Boulevard until early Thursday afternoon, but has since reopened.
Kingston police are asking anyone who may have witnessed or has any video of the incident to contact Det. Wein at 613-549-4660 ext 6198 or dwein@kpf.ca.
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