Wilmington, NC — The Laney High School community is grieving the loss of Jacob Fernandez-Villa, a 17-year-old rising senior who died early Thursday morning in a single-vehicle crash near Porters Neck Road.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly before 2 a.m. when Fernandez-Villa’s vehicle left the roadway, went into a ditch, and struck several trees. No other vehicles were involved.
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said the first indication of trouble came from an automatic 911 call placed by Fernandez-Villa’s cellphone.
Deputies searched the Porters Neck Road area near the roundabout but were initially unable to locate the wreck.
It wasn’t until his mother tracked his phone and called 911 a second time that deputies returned and found the vehicle in a wooded area, with Fernandez-Villa having been thrown from it. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash forced the closure of nearby roads for several hours as investigators processed the site, creating delays that stretched into the morning and afternoon commute. The Highway Patrol has said its investigation into the crash remains open.
Friends Remember a Bright, Energetic Presence
By Thursday evening, classmates had gathered along Porters Neck Road to lay flowers and remember their friend. Ella Gammel and Chiara Rigger, both incoming seniors at Laney High School, told reporters they had grown close to Fernandez-Villa through their shared love of surfing and described him as a constant, upbeat presence in their friend group.
Gammell said the trio spent time together frequently, calling him one of her closest friends, and admitted the news still didn’t feel real hours after learning of his death. Rigger echoed that disbelief, saying tragedies like this always seem to happen to someone else — until they don’t.
Both friends remembered Fernandez-Villa as someone who brought humor and warmth wherever he went, saying his energy and kindness were impossible to miss. They said they plan to carry his memory with them every time they gather to surf or spend time together going forward.
School and District Offer Support Resources
Laney High School Principal Danny Little notified staff of Fernandez-Villa’s death in a letter obtained by local media, and New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes confirmed his enrollment at the school. Barnes urged students struggling with the loss to reach out for support rather than cope alone.
In response, Laney High School announced grief counseling services would be available Friday from noon to 2 p.m. in Jordan Gym, giving students and staff a space to talk with counselors, sit in quiet reflection, or simply be together during a difficult week for the Buccaneer community.
