Family and friends remember Chapin student killed in rollover

Students from area high schools gathered Tuesday afternoon to pay tribute to Chris Carreon, the Chapin High School senior killed in a rollover Friday.

Friends of the teen released balloons at the baseball field at Chapin High School where Carreon used to play baseball.

“It’s a tremendous loss to the Chapin family,” said Fernando Aguilar, Chapin baseball coach.

Many told ABC-7 they were not mourning, but rather celebrating the 17-year-old’s short life.

Carreon was set to graduate from high school next month.

Aguilar tells ABC-7 Carreon always went above and beyond what was expected of him.

“He’s just an example you want in a young man. He is going to be missed by myself and the entire baseball program,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar and teammate Terrance Kinard say Carreon was dedicated in class as well.

“The teachers loved him. He always had a smile on his face. He was never a guy you would see with his head down,” Kinard said.

Baseball players from Andress High School, Irvin High School, and El Paso High School were also at the memorial. Carreon’s baseball coach said they will retire Carreon’s jersey, number 12, as a tribute.

“I’m going to miss his presence around me. I was with him right before(the accident) and he was so excited about the weekend. He always had a smile on his face you would never see him with bad vibes he was very positive all the time,” Kinard said.

Carreon was killed in a single-vehicle crash last Friday on the 8800 block of Gateway North. El Paso Police said the driver a 2004 Ford Mustang carrying the three teens was speeding and struck a curb, causing the car to rollover.

Carreon was a passenger in the car. The other two in the car were seriously injured in the crash. The other passenger has been identified as Alejandro Alonso Almodovar.

Police have not identified the 17-year-old driver of the car. Both are said to also play baseball for Chapin High.