Crash victim's mother: 'I can't stand the fact that he's gone'
SEATTLE -- Friends came together Wednesday night to grieve and pay tribute to a young baseball star killed in a car accident.
Seattle University student Cameron Christian was killed 10 days ago while driving home from a friend's wedding in Idaho. According to his family, tire marks at the scene indicated Christian's car swerved to avoid hitting something, and rolled down an embankment into a fence. Christian died instantly.
"I can't stand the fact that he's gone," said mother Debbie Christian. "Our faith and belief in God says he walked out of that and went to heaven right away, and (is) playing baseball with Babe Ruth."
Turning out in full force, friends and family packed a small gym to remember the young man from Auburn.
For head baseball coach Donny Harrel, Cameron Christian wasn't just a star pitcher; he was an MVP in the game of life.
"Here's a guy that was going to lead us in society, not just at Seattle U baseball," said Harrel. "He was our leader in our charity work of getting with the Boys and Girls Club and through the Jaclyn Foundation. So this is a guy who made an impression off the field, I would say more than on the field."
"He's irreplaceable, one of a kind," senior Jace Slona. "You meet the guy, and you're just drawn in instantly."
"He has touched these people in a different way," said Debbie Christian. "They've all felt special. Everyone of them think they're his best friend."
Cameron Christian's number, 21, has been retired by the school. Although he is gone, his family says the memories and stories will live on forever.
"There's a boy up in Canada that's in a wheelchair, and he was the spokesperson on their baseball team. And he told me that 'Cameron always made me feel like I was walking right beside him,'" said Debbie Christian.
Seattle University student Cameron Christian was killed 10 days ago while driving home from a friend's wedding in Idaho. According to his family, tire marks at the scene indicated Christian's car swerved to avoid hitting something, and rolled down an embankment into a fence. Christian died instantly.
"I can't stand the fact that he's gone," said mother Debbie Christian. "Our faith and belief in God says he walked out of that and went to heaven right away, and (is) playing baseball with Babe Ruth."
Turning out in full force, friends and family packed a small gym to remember the young man from Auburn.
For head baseball coach Donny Harrel, Cameron Christian wasn't just a star pitcher; he was an MVP in the game of life.
"Here's a guy that was going to lead us in society, not just at Seattle U baseball," said Harrel. "He was our leader in our charity work of getting with the Boys and Girls Club and through the Jaclyn Foundation. So this is a guy who made an impression off the field, I would say more than on the field."
"He's irreplaceable, one of a kind," senior Jace Slona. "You meet the guy, and you're just drawn in instantly."
"He has touched these people in a different way," said Debbie Christian. "They've all felt special. Everyone of them think they're his best friend."
Cameron Christian's number, 21, has been retired by the school. Although he is gone, his family says the memories and stories will live on forever.
"There's a boy up in Canada that's in a wheelchair, and he was the spokesperson on their baseball team. And he told me that 'Cameron always made me feel like I was walking right beside him,'" said Debbie Christian.
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