Springville football player dies after parking lot accident
SPRINGVILLE — Brandon Curtis, a Springville High School football player fatally injured in a rollover accident at the high school Tuesday, was taken off life support and died Wednesday afternoon, surrounded by his family.
Words of comfort flooded Facebook and Twitter for the Springville family whose son carried the respect of many peers and adults, and who team members showered with superlatives. “He’s the nicest person you could find,” said teammate Conrad Beach, 15. “I’ve known him since the first football practice of seventh grade.”
“Brandon was the kind of person that if you couldn’t finish running your quarter mile and he was done, he would come back and run with you and help you,” Beach said. “I was one of those people he helped; he’s a champion.”
Curtis, 18, and three other Springville High School football team members had just finished a practice and were in the school’s parking lot spinning donuts, according to witnesses. The jeep they were in rolled, pinning Curtis under the vehicle. He was taken to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo. The other three boys, ages 16 to 18, received non-life threatening injuries. Two of the boys, Kaleb Cook and Zach Puckett were treated and released from the hospital. Estevan Ramos was in good condition and remained in the hospital Wednesday. Curtis was a passenger in the jeep.
Springville police Lt. Dave Caron said they haven’t determined if charges will be filed against the driver. “We’re going to make sure what we do is appropriate,” Caron said.
Beach was an eyewitness to the accident as were approximately 50 other people, including the Springville High girls volleyball team, their moms and coaches, Beach said.
According to Beach, the word got out so fast about the accident that the school’s rival football team from Maple Mountain High School arrived while the emergency crew was still there. “Maple Mountain football players said they were so sorry and they came to help out by encouraging us. There was no rivalry there,” Beach added.
Curtis was also on the school’s wrestling team and has been working out all summer with the ultimate goal of taking his team to the state championships, Beach said.
“Brandon had curly blonde hair, he was tall, good looking and fun to be around,” said Cheryl Beutler, a close family friend. “He wasn’t reckless. He wasn’t that kind of a kid.” He was also considered a spiritual strength to his friends and would organize scripture study with his teammates and schoolmates.
The Curtis family are longtime residents of Springville. Both Jesse and Dianne Curtis, Brandon’s parents, graduated from Springville High School. Dianne Curtis is employed as a front end manager at Ream’s Market in Springville. Cups for donations to the family medical bills have been placed at every checkout stand in the store.
“She’s a very caring and loving person,” said Amy Shelley, non-foods manager at the store. “She would do anything for you. She is a doll.”
According to Beutler, Jesse Curtis is currently unemployed and recently went through a life-threatening illness and hospitalization. “They’ve been through so much,” Beutler said. “They always seem to come through it. Their faith is holding them together.”
Dianne Curtis said her son was preparing to be a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was to leave just after graduation next spring. According to friends he was also in the final stages of receiving his Eagle Scout Award.
“Brandon loved to bake and cook,” Beutler said. “I’m a lunch lady and Brandon would bake and make cookies for me. He was a friend to everybody.”
According to his parents, Brandon was an organ donor and his wishes are being honored. “He is as giving in death as he was in life,” said Dianne Curtis.
His parents say he was “closer than brothers” with the other three boys involved in the accident and they ask that everyone continue to pray for the other boys.
“We have received so many calls and so much love and support. We want to extend our gratitude to everyone for showing us so much support. We also want to give a special thanks to everyone at the hospital for their talents and sensitivity,” said Jesse Curtis.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Tyson Wilson Life is a precious thing… liveit with no regrets.. Brandon curtis you will be missed buddy
@kabobster brandon jesse curtis — i love youso much. i’m going to miss you with all my heart.
Lauren Smith R.I.P Brandon curtis; you will begreatly missed. my prayers go out to his family and friends?
Chelsea Kate Walker Sad day for Springville.You’ll be missed, BrandonCurtis. My prayers go to your family.
Lisa Stephenson Nelson Many prayers being saidtoday for Springville football player Brandon Curtis.
Jamie Krebs Pray for Brandon Curtis!
Aaron Carl Turley R.I.Pbrandon curtis
@RichardWilson18 Sad day for springvillefootball and the family- RIP Brandon Curtis
@TaylorSmaylor I’m also praying for BrandonCurtis. My heart goes out to his family.
@misscheka today has been the saddest, mostsurreal day. im praying hard for Brandon Curtis. I know he’ll makeit. he’s a strong, tough, amazing guy.