by Mark Bellinger & Heather Graf
DICKSON, Tenn.- Students at a mid-state high school are saying good-bye to a friend. Justin Roberts was only 16 years old when he was killed Monday night in a car crash in Dickson County.
Roberts was killed when he lost control of his car between White Bluff and Dickson.
At Tuesday night's basketball game, students wore white in Roberts' honor, and dedicated the game to him. They had a moment of silence just before the players stepped onto the court.
"He could cheer anyone up, I mean, if you were down, he could cheer you up," said his friend, Jedediah Speaker. "We'll all just miss him, really, really bad."
Students also sought out other ways to say goodbye to Justin Roberts. They heard from counselors and wrote goodbyes on giant posters in the hallway of the high school.
"We sent out a school reach automated phone call at about 9:30 letting parents know the kids may be coming home with just a gambit of emotions. Anger, fear," said Dickson County High School Principal Ed Littleton
Those closes to Roberts say it's still hard to believe.
"You've got a friend that's 16 years old, and he's gone," said sophomore Jesse Runa. "He was there for you if you needed him, you could depend on him to be there for you."
The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the crash. The police report said Roberts lost control of his car on Jones Creek Road. According to officials, Roberts was not wearing a seatbelt, and it may have made a difference.
Students say that's a lesson they'll take away from this tragedy.
"It makes me want to buckle up, and I wish that Justice would've buckled up that night," said freshman Megan Hollis.
Jones Creek Road winds through the hills between White Bluff and Dickson, and drivers say it can be dangerous.
"Especially back here by the bridge it's real dangerous. I've seen a couple of cars go off of it," said Jo Phillips.
Officials said that speed was a factor when Roberts lost control of his car and left the road.
Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe sent deputies to the crash site to protect students in case they decided to stop and memorialize their friend.
There's no place to safely stop on side of the road.
"I've had to pull over to the side of the road, because people are running down the middle of it several times," said Shannon Deal.
At the school Littleton said it's a reminder of how dangerous it can be when you're behind the wheel, especially when you're just 16.
"This accident is a good example of that, because this young man was highly, obviously highly thought of here at this school. The kids loved him. The teachers thought a lot of him and he's going to be missed," said Littleton
