Friends gather to honor teen

DEER PARK – Levi Morgan had a grin that brought joy to others, the kind of smile that people who gathered in his honor said they would never forget.

About 400 people congregated Saturday night in light rain at Perrins Field to remember the Deer Park High School sophomore who talked about going to Harvard. Morgan died Friday in a one-car accident north of the town.

“He shined so brightly as a son, as a brother, as a friend and as a teammate,” said Don Williams, a family friend and Morgan’s soccer coach. “The kid was just a shining soccer player.”

After some brief words and a prayer, students, family and friends at the candlelight vigil stayed and shared stories and shed tears.

“You didn’t see him dissing anybody,” Williams said. “He was a friend to everybody. He was a class act always.”

Morgan, 16, was on his way to meet friends at a movie in Spokane Friday evening when his 1991 Pontiac rolled off Short Road north of Deer Park, said Spokane Sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan in a press release. Morgan died from head injuries at the scene. A resident in the area found debris from the crash and called authorities about 8:20 p.m.

Investigators believe that Morgan was driving faster than the posted 45 mph limit, and that speed was a factor in the crash, Reagan said. Although he was wearing a seat belt, Morgan was partially ejected because the shoulder strap on the Pontiac was attached to the door, which opened when the car rolled.

Crisis counselors will be available at Deer Park High School on Monday, Deer Park School District Superintendent Mick Miller said.

Morgan’s friend Matt Bean said Morgan was “the smartest guy I ever knew,” besides being an incredible friend, great athlete and fine poker player. Morgan and his pals played quite a few hands of the game last summer.

“He always knew when to call or when to fold. He had natural talent, which he had at a lot of things,” Bean said. “He always, always had a smile.”

Morgan is survived by his parents, Shana and David Morgan, and his brothers, Lee and Caleb.