ST. LUCIE COUNTY \u2014 Anthony Martin, a 16-year-old who reportedly lost his life in a horrific Black Friday crash that also killed four of his\u2026<\/b>
\nST. LUCIE COUNTY \u2014 Anthony Martin, a 16-year-old who reportedly lost his life in a horrific Black Friday crash that also killed four of his friends, was remembered by family and friends as a talented bowler, full of joy and bursting with potential.
\u00ab\u00a0He was a lovely, caring person. He loved to smile, he loved to bowl and he loved his music,\u00a0\u00bb his grandmother Nancy Yearby said.
Anthony was in the 11th grade at Fort Pierce Westwood High School. He bowled at Saint Lucie Lanes, 6759 S. U. S., starting at the age of four.
\u00ab\u00a0He just loved it,\u00a0\u00bb Yearby said. \u00ab\u00a0And I kept continuing to take him.\u00a0\u00bb
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Anthony spent at least every Tuesday and Saturday at the bowling alley, but would sometimes show up every day of the week.
\u00ab\u00a0He wanted to go take up bowling after graduating,\u00a0\u00bb Yearby said.
He made the all-area first team as a freshman and had an 817 three-game series in 2017. Reaching 800 in three sets is considered one of the most difficult and prestigious accomplishments in the sport.
\u00ab\u00a0He truly loved being here,\u00a0\u00bb said Midge McArdle, youth director at Saint Lucie Lanes. \u00ab\u00a0It’s a tight-knit group. We’re family.\u00a0\u00bb
Anthony was raised primarily by his grandmother.
\u00ab\u00a0As he got older, he developed into a very nice young man. She did a great job with him,\u00a0\u00bb said Bill Ronayne, who also works at the bowling alley.
\u00ab\u00a0It’s a very hard thing to hear,\u00a0\u00bb McArdle said, tearing up as she recalled the phone call she received from Yearby with the tragic news.
\u00ab\u00a0He smiled for everything\u2026 He was just hands down a wonderful kid.\u00a0\u00bb
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Five people were killed in a three-car crash about 10:41 p.m. Friday just south of Fort Pierce, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
The three vehicles were driving south on South 25th Street, approaching Midway Road, state troopers said.
Tanner Ray Dashner, 21, of Fort Pierce, drove a 2004 GMC Yukon, approaching the two other vehicles at the busy intersection. He was going much faster than the other two vehicles, according to FHP.
The SUV slammed into a 2002 Dodge Dakota, leading the pickup to crash into the 2003 BMW 325i in front of it.
State troopers said the Dakota burst into flames, killing all five people inside.
Anthony was in that vehicle, according to his grandmother.
\u00ab\u00a0He was out riding with friends,\u00a0\u00bb Yearby said.
None of the victims have been identified by Florida Highway Patrol, as of 1 p.m. Monday.
Dashner was listed Saturday in critical condition. His condition had not been updated Monday by FHP.
Tests to determine whether alcohol was involved are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
Two occupants of the BMW, which was pushed several hundred feet from the initial impact, escaped relatively unscathed. The driver, Dalton Young, 27, of Port St. Lucie, was not hurt. A passenger, Sarah Anderson, 30, had minor injuries.
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Several dozen candles, along with flowers, balloons, stuffed animals and two small bottles of Patron tequila remained at the crash scene Monday. Several people stopped by.
One was William Brooks Jr. He said Anthony was his niece’s son \u2014 a \u00ab\u00a0normal teenager\u00a0\u00bb who never got in trouble.
\u00ab\u00a0He was a good kid,\u00a0\u00bb Brooks said. \u00ab\u00a0His life is gone for nothing\u2026 He had one more year to graduate.\u00a0\u00bb
Tonya Sparks, 18, also visited the memorial Monday, leaving a balloon and candles. She said she attended Lincoln Park Academy with Anthony, who she described as a \u00ab\u00a0very positive person.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0Loved to bowl. That\u2019s what he liked to do,\u00a0\u00bb Sparks said. \u00ab\u00a0He’s the type of person that would come and he’d uplift you and he’d help you if you were feeling sad.\u00a0\u00bb
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There is a fundraiser ongoing at Saint Lucie Lanes that has already raised more than $5,000, including an owner-match of what the public raised.
People can stop by until Nov. 30 and purchase raffle tickets. A tattoo courtesy of Southern Samurai Tattoo Studio and a bowling ball are up for grabs. Tickets will be sold through Nov. 30.
\u00ab\u00a0The community has come together and wants to help. They care,\u00a0\u00bb Yearby said. \u00ab\u00a0And I appreciate that.\u00a0\u00bb
Another fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday for two victims in other families, whose identities have not yet been verified by immediate family.
Sunday, there will be a celebration of life for those victims at Raziyah Caribbean Cuisine, 214 N. 25th St., Fort Pierce.
The event will kick off at 4 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Food and drinks will be available, and there will be music by DJ Jay Dot and guests. All of the proceeds will go to the families.<\/p>\n