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HERRIMAN — Hours after a crash with a school bus that took his life, a Herriman High School senior was remembered Wednesday night as “the most selfless, loving person you could meet.”
Several classmates and friends gathered in a home to reflect on the life of 17-year-old Bryson Hathaway.
“He’s the sweetest kid you’ll ever meet,” said Drake Elliott, who had played football with Hathaway since the two were 8 years old. “You couldn’t find a single person who dislikes Bryson.”
Earlier in the day, Unified Police investigators said Hathaway drove his sedan into the back of a stopped school bus on Bangerter Highway in Riverton.
Unified Police detective Ken Hansen said “there was no indication” Hathaway saw the bus was stopped in front of him.
“We drive to school together like almost every day, so it’s just weird he’s not going to be doing that anymore,” Elliott said.
It was on those drives, Elliott said, that the two talked about life.
“Those talks and those moments where it’s just me and him in the car together — I don’t think I’ll be able to forget those,” he said.
Friends of Hathaway said he was an “energetic, hard worker,” who loved sports —especially baseball and football, where he played cornerback.
Elliott said Hathaway was a “genius” who had aspirations to go into the Air Force someday.
Another friend, Darian Strate, said he’ll never forget how caring Hathaway was.
“He’s always reaching out, just putting others before himself — just his loving attitude,” Strate said.
Jordan School District spokesperson Sandy Riesgraf said grief counselors would be available for students and staff at Herriman High “as long as they are needed this week or next.”
“As a district, our thoughts and prayers are with the family right now,” she said.
Elliott said he believes Hathaway would want others to celebrate his life.
“Just keep your friends close and tell them you love them every day,” Strate added.
