Mother of Hickory Teen Remembers Son, School Gathers in His Honor
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HICKORY, NC — A community is mourning the sudden death of a 17-year-old Hickory teen killed in a car crash Monday afternoon.
Dozens of David Austin Saine’s St. Stephens High School classmates gathered in his honor Tuesday.
His mother, Kristi Saine, spoke to WCCB Charlotte after making funeral arrangements for her son.
She clutched his football jersey, his favorite outfit.
“He was my only son,” said Saine.
Troopers are still trying to figure out if distracted driving caused the teen to pull into the path of a semi on Kool Park Road Monday. He was less than two miles from his high school.
“He’s such a good kid everybody loves him. He was full of life,” said Saine. "He loved life, he loved people, he loved his football, he loved his family."
He was a junior nose guard for the St. Stephens Indians. His mom gathered with with classmates, teachers and teammates on the football field in his memory.
“He loved field,” said Principal Jeff Taylor. “He was one of the best.”
His team walked silently in a line. In front honoring David Austin was the student who was in the car with him during the fatal crash. WCCB Charlotte is not releasing his name due to his age.
“Man, I just loved that guy,” said Wanya Rankins. “He always had a smile on his face and work ethic.”
Rankins was one of David Austin’s best friends. They were going to graduate together in a year.
David Austin had plans to go to college and become a police officer like his father and grandfather.
“He was a planner,” said Saine.
Now she prepares for his funeral Friday. He’ll have on his football jersey. The company making his Letterman jacket is finishing it in time for visitation.
“He wanted his jersey. He wanted his Letterman,” said Saine. “I just hate he’s not here to see it.”
His funeral will be held starting at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Woodlawn Baptist Church in Conover.
His parents are asking people to donate to the school football camp to help underprivileged children attend. To donate, call St. Stephens High School at 828-256-9841.
