ANDERSON, Ind. — Skid marks were still visible Monday afternoon as family, friends and classmates gathered to mourn the loss of Derrick Wilson, 18.

Wilson, a junior at Anderson High School, died from a blunt force injury to his head and chest after crashing into a tree off East Fifth Street early Sunday morning.

According to Jason Grace, a classmate who was riding with Wilson at the time of the accident, Wilson overcorrected after the vehicle started to swerve, which sent the westbound car hydroplaning toward the tree.

Grace said they were on their way home from a Christian rap concert at The Bridge church.

Remarkably Grace was not seriously injured in the crash. A large scratch on his neck was the only visible mark.

“Just a freak accident,” said Grace.

The quick friendship Wilson formed with Grace, who had just moved to Anderson a month ago after his mother passed away, was indicative of who Wilson was.

“He was a person of acceptance, it didn’t matter what kind of clothes you wore, or who you hung out with, he accepted you,” said Xavier Cortez, a close friend of Wilson’s.

Cortez helped organize the Monday memorial, which took place at the site of the accident. Mourners were circled around the tree that had taken Wilson’s life.

Pinned to the tree were Wilson’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or NJROTC, dog tags, and a note that read “R.I.P. Derrick you will be missed.”

Wilson had planned on serving in the Navy following graduation. Nik Schweitzer, a sophomore at AHS, said he met Wilson last summer during an NJROTC training session.

“You never expect to lose your best friend in high school,” said Schweitzer.

Wilson’s uncle, Derrick Wilson, whom he was named after, said Wilson became interested in joining the military after hearing stories from him and his cousin, Frank Fuller. The uncle clutched a shattered taillight from the crash as a memento.

Morale was somber Monday at the high school. Jason Gilman, who teaches social studies and had Wilson as a student, said there was a noticeable “numbness” among the students and faculty.

“He was a good student, very outgoing, always seemed to find a way to get the class going,” said Gilman.

Students released balloons in Wilson’s memory, and large banners were sent to each of Wilson’s classes for his classmates to sign. In all, eight banners were filled with heartfelt messages. One read “I love you and miss you, Derrick you’ll always be in my heart.” Another banner had a picture of Wilson superimposed as an angel. Cortez said he wanted to use the image for a memorial plaque that will be on display at the base of the tree. He said he had already received enough donations to buy one, and had received permission from Anderson University.

“He deserves to have all this put on for him,” said Ben Stanley, a senior at AHS.

About 100 people showed up at the memorial. Wilson’s mother, Deanna, said she was touched by the display of support.

“It’s made me aware of the impact Derrick had on so many people’s lives,” Deanna Wilson said.

Gathered around the tree, classmates and friends reminisced about Wilson and his distinctive laugh.

“He always had a big grin on his face,” Cortez said.

Cortez said he’d been friends with Wilson since they were in third grade. One of the important lessons he says he learned from Wilson was to look after others instead of just yourself.

Garrett Oleksy, a junior at AHS and a football teammate of Wilson, tried to laugh through his tears as he described Wilson as a hard worker, who sometimes had to combat laziness.

“Most of the time he worked his butt off,” said Oleksy.

Oleksy said he was looking forward to dedicating the next Indians football season to Wilson, who was a defensive tackle for the team. He also said some of his teammates are petitioning to have Wilson’s jersey number retired.

According to Anderson police spokesman Sgt. Bill Casey, the accident is still under investigation.

Contact Sam Brattain: 640-4883, sam.brattain@heraldbulletin.com