‘He always made everyone happy’: Friend of New Carlisle teen killed in crash speaks out

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

A friend of the 17-year-old New Carlisle teen killed in a crash on Sunday night said he “always made everyone happy.”

Michaela Evans described her best friend Jason Whitt as a kind-hearted person. Whitt was killed after being ejected from a car after crashing in the 900 block of South Medway Carlisle Road, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“He was always there when I needed him, he was so genuine with everything he said and did,” Evans said.

Evans said Whitt “truly deeply cared about people.”

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking knowing that someone I used to be so close with and someone who had such a bright soul (was) taken away from all of us so soon,” Evans said.

Whitt, a a student at Fairborn Digital Academy, died after the 2002 Saturn SL he was driving went left of center off the left side of the road, and struck a utility pole on the passenger side, according to OSHP. Whitt was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, according to OSHP.

More on the crash: ‘It just feels surreal’: Woman says of teen killed, other injured in New Carlisle crash

“He always made everyone happy, laugh and smile with his presence. I will always love him and cherish the memories I have gotten to have with him,” Evans said.

Three other passengers in the vehicle — all teens and including Whitt’s younger brother — were also hurt in the crash.

Johnathon Whitt, 15, a sophomore at Tecumseh High School, was seated in the backseat behind his brother and suffered life-threatening injuries. He was taken to Miami Valley Hospital where he was listed in critical condition Tuesday afternoon, according to the hospital.

Michael Bittner, 17, of Beavercreek, was sitting in the front passenger seat and was also thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to Soin Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Bittner was in “good condition” Tuesday afternoon, according to Soin Medical Center.

Jayden Stacy, 16, of Fairborn, was sitting in the back seat behind Bittner. She sustained serious injuries and was taken to Miami Valley Hospital. Stacy was not listed as a patient at the hospital Monday, according to Miami Valley Hospital.

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