WAGONER, Okla. - A community is celebrating the life of 19-year-old Wyatt Hanks after he died in a car crash last week.
Just a year ago Wyatt Hankins was off to prom.
“We were both happy and smiling and you just think about the good times," said his then girlfriend Cheyanne Kirk.
He was a teenager alongside his girlfriend with endless possibilities ahead, until last week.
“My aunt had actually called me and told me he had been in an accident."
Oklahoma Highway Patrol said Wyatt was driving down Highway 51 in Wagoner County when his jeep went off the roadway and flipped over almost one and a half times.
“It was heartbreaking. I didn’t believe it, I didn’t want to believe it, I just always ask myself why," said his friend Kassy Buck.
Troopers said he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, his airbag didn't deploy and there was an odor of alcohol.
His friends believe he had just left a party.
“He was just having a great time so nobody would’ve ever expected him to pass away," said his friend Alexiah Cole.
Friday night, instead of trying to explain why or how, Wyatt's friends came together hand-in-hand to pray.
“I know a lot of people are hurting right now.”
Remembering the Wyatt they knew, the one they thought had so much time left.
“Wishing that I could’ve said goodbye or I miss you and you don’t deserve to be that young and get into a car accident and pass away like that.”
Over bouncing flames they lifted up one last gift to their friend.
“Just appreciate the person that’s with you because you never know what’s going to happen.”
Hopeful that one day they'll get to see him again.
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