Friends remember Wilmington teen who died in single-vehicle car crash

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Friends and classmates are remembering Jacob Fernandez-Villa, a 17-year-old Wilmington teen, who died in an overnight crash in New Hanover County.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the crash happened just before 2 a.m. when Fernandez-Villa’s vehicle left the roadway, entered a ditch and struck several trees.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were alerted after receiving an automatic 911 call from the teenager’s cellphone. Authorities initially searched the area but were unable to locate the vehicle. A second search, aided by Fernandez’s mother after she tracked his phone’s location, led deputies to the crash site in a wooded area.

Roads in the area remained closed for several hours as investigators worked the scene, causing traffic delays throughout the morning.

By Thursday evening, flowers lined the shoulder of Porters Neck Road as friends gathered at the crash site to remember Fernandez.

Ella Gammel and Chiara Rigger, both rising seniors at Laney High School, said they came to honor one of their closest friends. The three attended school together and spent time together regularly.

“We met him at school. We hang out with him a lot, and he’s one of our close friends,” Gammel said.

The girls said they were stunned when they learned of Fernandez’s death Thursday morning.

“I don’t think this is real,” Gammel said. “When we got the call this morning, it just doesn’t feel real. We see him every week.”

Rigger said the loss has been difficult to comprehend.

“You never think it’s going to happen to someone you know,” she said.

The classmates remembered Fernandez as someone who loved surfing, enjoyed spending time with friends and had a way of making everyone around him laugh.

“He was the best. He was so fun, so funny,” Gammel said. “He was such a nice person.”

The friends left flowers at the crash site and said Fernandez’s memory will remain with them long after Thursday’s gathering.

“Every time we hang out, we’ll be thinking of him,” Gammel said.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.

Laney High School will have grief support available Friday, July 31st, from 12:00 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Jordan Gym.