OAKLEAF – Although Marissa Balderas didn’t know Keondre Moss, she was one of hundreds of Oakleaf High students who wore red to classes on Tuesday, a day after the 16-year-old was killed in a car …
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OAKLEAF – Although Marissa Balderas didn’t know Keondre Moss, she was one of hundreds of Oakleaf High students who wore red to classes on Tuesday, a day after the 16-year-old was killed in a car accident after leaving the school.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said two other boys were seriously injured when their car lost control and slammed into a tree on Oakleaf Village Parkway.
“It was a very moody day,” Balderas said. “We all wore red, even people who didn’t know him.”
The Clay County School District sent grief counselors to the school for students and staff. The district also released the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened to learn that a junior at Oakleaf High School has passed away due to a car accident in the Oakleaf community this afternoon. It has been confirmed that two other students were in the vehicle as well and both have suffered serious injuries. The District will provide grief counseling services at Oakleaf High School’s campus beginning tomorrow to support students, staff and family members during this very difficult time. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones. Our entire school district is saddened by this devastating news. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as we work through the pain and emotions of this tragic loss.”
Balderas said students were struggling to deal with the tragedy.
“There’s a lot of hugging, a lot of praying,” Balderas said.
Moss, a junior, was a passenger in car JSO said may have been racing against two other cars when it veered off the road and struck a tree in the median. Moss, who apparently wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, was thrown nearly 20 feet. The accident happened about two miles from the school.
The tree snapped in two and was uprooted by the impact.
Moss’ mother, Katina Moss, pleaded with other students, telling News4JAX: “Make wise choices. Stop driving so fast. Put your seatbelt on.”
Moss moved from Kansas City, and one of his favorite teams are the Kansas City Chiefs. Student chose to honor Moss by wearing red because it’s the primary team color of the football team.
A GoFundMe page was set up for Moss’ family to help pay bills.
"(Keondre) was a very sweet and good young man, who loved his 3-year-old niece who had a birthday on Sept. 10," according to the GoFundMe page. "He leaves behind a grieving mother, big sister, niece and many friends here in Orange Park, FL plus many, many family and friends back home in Kansas City, KS."