New Father, 16, Dead After Wrong-Way Crash in California Remembered as the ‘Sweetest Kid’

Thomas Ryder Shoup, also known as Ryder Day, leaves behind his son and girlfriend after he was killed in the early morning crash, according to loved ones

• Thomas Ryder Shoup, also known as Ryder Day, died on on April 10 when his car collided with a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Interstate 5 in California

• The 16-year-old from Imperial Beach leaves behind his son Marco and girlfriend Eliana, according to loved ones

• A 67-year-old woman, who was operating the vehicle that was traveling the wrong way, also died as a result of the early morning crash
  

Two people have died, including a new father, following a crash on Interstate 5 in southern California on Wednesday, April 10.

California Highway Patrol said 67-year-old Eileen Crawford was behind the wheel of a Honda Civic when the vehicle entered the southbound lanes of I-5 near the San Ysidro Port of Entry around 3 a.m. local time, according to NBC affiliate KNSD.

The driver then collided with a car being operated by 16-year-old Thomas Ryder Shoup, also known as Ryder Day, per CBS affiliate KFMB-TV and The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Both Crawford and the Imperial Beach teenager, who was a 10th grader at Mar Vista High School, died at the scene of the crash.

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Ryder leaves behind his son Marcelo and girlfriend Eliana, “who meant the world” to him, according to a loved one who started a GoFundMe campaign for the teen’s family following his sudden death.

In a message on the fundraiser, Ryder was described as “a loving son, brother, and uncle” who “was able to accomplish so much at just 16 years old.”

“Ryder was the sweetest kid, and touched the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him,” the message read. "Ryder has been surrounded by so much love since the day he was born and could light up a room with his infectious smile."

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Ryder also “served in the city’s Junior Lifeguard program for many years,” according to a statement shared by the City of Imperial Beach. He was described as being “very athletic” and “competitive” while always having “a smile on his face.”

“His instructors knew him as a great kid who was well liked,” city officials added.

It is unclear how Crawford began traveling the wrong way on I-5. CHP did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Francisco Beltran, Crawford’s neighbor and close friend, told KNSD the woman was receiving radiation treatments for cancer and was sometimes forgetful.

A toxicology report is pending, according to KNSD and KFMB-TV.

As of midday Friday, more than $36,000 dollars has been raised through the GoFundMe campaign.

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