Community mourns death of Camas High School student

Grayson Kennedy, 15, died from injuries sustained in an early morning car crash on Tuesday, Dec. 14

By Kelly Moyer
December 23, 2021 11:58 am
Latest News, News

Grayson Kennedy, 15, a Camas High School student and member of the Papermakers football team, died Dec. 14, from injuries he sustained in a car crash on his way to school that morning. (Photo courtesy of GoFundMe)

The community is mourning the loss of 15-year-old Camas High School football player Grayson Kennedy, who was killed in a car crash last week.

“On behalf of the city of Camas staff and elected officials, I would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Grayson Kennedy,” Camas Mayor Steve Hogan said last week. “ I, much like the community, am shocked, saddened and devastated by the loss of this young life that was taken from us far too soon.”

Grayson Kennedy was riding in a car with other juveniles, heading to school, the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 14, when the vehicle left the roadway near the intersection of Southeast Norse Road and 280th Court, striking a fence and a residence.

Clark County Sheriff’s deputies and Washougal police officers responded to the crash, and said it was unknown if winter weather was a factor in the collision. The Clark County Traffic Unit is investigating the cause of the Dec. 14 accident.

Grayson was transported to a local hospital, where he died from critical injuries sustained in the crash.

In a GoFundMe established to help support the Kennedy family during their grief, pay for medical bills and help host a memorial for Grayson, the family said Grayson, who would have turned 16 next month, will be remembered “as a warm soul with kind words and big hugs.”

“Grayson had a goofy, fun-loving nature that made the world a better place,” Sydney Kaster, Grayson’s cousin, stated on the GoFundMe site. “He never failed to bring smiles with him everywhere he went. The loss is too great for words.”

Grayson is survived by his parents, four siblings and a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins “who will feel his absence every day,” the family said in their GoFundMe.

“The loss is too great for words, and we appreciate any contribution to help their family,” Kaster stated.

Camas’ mayor also promoted the GoFundMe, and said he hoped the Camas community would help support the Kennedy family.

“As a parent, I can’t even begin to fathom what this family is going through. However, as a community, we should look for ways to support them as they navigate this tragedy,” Hogan said, adding that the GoFundMe is “just one way to provide support, but not the only way.”

“While this small gesture will never take away the pain, we are a community that cares, and one that helps when needed,” Hogan said.

The family’s GoFundMe can be found at tinyurl.com/bddftcsx. As of Tuesday, Dec. 21, nearly 800 donors had contributed $64,470 to the GoFundMe, surpassing the initial goal of $50,000.

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