Virgin Islanders were mourning the death of 17-year-old Elijah Battiste Tuesday, killed in a multi-car collision outside Tampa Bay.
Battiste, a student at Armwood High School in Mango, Florida, and member of the Virgin Islands’ U20 Dashing Eagles national soccer team, was driving west around 11 p.m. Saturday when a car going the other direction veered into oncoming traffic, the Florida Highway Patrol told local news Monday.
The head-on collision spun both cars around. A Ford F150 driving behind Battiste then slammed into his Volkswagen’s driver side door. Police were searching for the driver of the Ford, who fled on foot, according to local news reports.
Battiste and the 40-year-old driver of the other vehicle were treated at a local hospital, where Battiste later died.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Soccer Federation released a statement saying the organization was “grieving the devastating loss of one of our own.”
“His passing this past weekend has left our entire soccer family heartbroken,” the team wrote. “Elijah was more than a player, he was a teammate, a friend, and a bright spirit who brought passion and pride to the game. His presence on and off the field will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
The Soccer Federation asked the community support of Elijah’s family with to help ease the burden. A crowd-funding site had raised more than $20,000 by Tuesday morning.
Battiste, affectionately known as Papo, also played midfield for the Tampa Bay United soccer team.
