Empire High School Quarterback killed in crash

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Posted 11:06 PM 12/16/2012 : Family and friends remember star athlete Grayson Weeks

Tucson- Just as the world and the rest of the country is witnessing the grief being felt in Newtown Connecticut, close to home, the residents of Vail are experiencing a tragedy of their own.

Early Sunday morning, Empire High School quarterback Grayson Weeks died in a crash, at I-10 and Marsh Station Road, near Benson.

The 16-year-old, was a passenger in a car that left the interstate and then rolled over.
Weeks was not wearing a seatbelt. He was ejected from the car and then struck by an SUV heading in the opposite direction.

Family and friends are now trying to deal with the loss of a young man they describe as a great athlete, leader and friend. And reality is still setting in. Family member, Mito Mandivil, says his cousin was an incredible person, "He was a very likeable person, great person all around, he got along with anybody no matter what."

Empire Teammate, Nick Lakosky, said Grayson possessed everything you would want in a friend, "Every opinion you had he respected and he was a funny guy" Lakosky said, "he always made jokes and kept things lighthearted."

Attributes friends and family will recall most, but Grayson Weeks will also be remembered as a great athlete. He played varsity football since his freshman year, starting at quarterback the last two seasons. He was also a great wrestler, qualifying for Nationals and State and off to a 15-1 record this year.

Former teammate, Loren Henry, said the tragic loss of his friend is a sad reminder for those who now must go on without him, "When I heard about it, it just made me realize how valuable life is and how easily it can be taken from you."

Posted 2:03 PM 12/16/2012 : Empire High School Quarterback killed in crash

TUCSON - News 4 Tucson has confirmed Empire High School Quarterback Grayson Weeks died in a crash Sunday morning.

It happened just after midnight on I-10 near the Marsh Station Road near Benson.

Department of Public Safety Officials say Weeks was in a Mitsubishi sedan, driven by a 16-year-old boy. Three others were passengers in the car.

For some unknown reason, the car ran off the left side of the roadway.

DPS says the driver tried to swerve back to the roadway, but the car rolled.

Weeks was not wearing a seat belt.

He was ejected from the car.

DPS says an SUV then struck Weeks.

He died from his injuries.

No one in the SUV was hurt, but the driver and a 17-year-old passenger in the Mitsubishi were taken to the hospital for their injuries. Two other passengers from the Mitsubishi were treated and released from the hospital.

16-year-old Grayson Weeks was a quarterback and a wrestler at Empire High School in Vail.

The district sent this statement, "This is a very tragic loss for Empire High School and the Vail community. Grayson was a very talented, well-liked and caring person. Our hearts go out to his family and many other people in our community who are directly affected by the loss of this precious young man."

Stay with News 4 Tucson for more on this story.