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WARREN -- Friends and family are mourning the loss of a Warren teenager who people say was a talented young man who was loved by everyone.
Jeremiah Barnes, 17, died in an ATV crash Friday evening. The ATV hit a pole on Parkwood Drive around 7:30 p.m., according to a Trumbull County 911 call report. Another person was injured in the crash and taken to the hospital. He has not been identified by police.
Jeremiah was an active member at his school and in the community, according to his mother, Alethea Barnes.
"He was a loving person," Alethea Barnes said. "He helped anybody."
Alethea Barnes said her son was involved in various activities, such as the Warren G. Harding Madrigal Choir, manager of the basketball team and playing drums at various churches, as well as a member of the Warren City Wide Youth Choir for the past six years.
"He was loving, helping, loved by many, known by many and will be missed by many," she said. "I hope his memory inspires others to be better people."
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said Jeremiah was an "exceptional young man" who was beyond his years in maturity.
"Everybody who knew him seemed to be affected by his spirit to an extent," Franklin said, noting Jeremiah had just recently asked him about a job with the city even though he was only 17.
The Rev. Todd Johnson of Second Baptist Church in Warren echoed Franklin, saying Jeremiah "was really one of a kind.
"A lot of guys in the city would say he was a little brother to us," Johnson said. "He was just that good neighbor kid you'd always see around."
On his Facebook page Saturday, Johnson posted the following statement: "I am heartbroken for his family and friends. I am shaken to the core to know such an incredible young man I've known since he was just a little guy is gone. He was like a little brother to many of us and a big brother to our young ones."
"Sweet, kind, funny, loving, hard worker, and incredibly helpful are just a few words that describe him. But most of all, he was SAVED. He knew Jesus and he served Jesus in the church in any way he could. We'll miss you Jeremiah and we won't ever be the same because you impacted us all in a wonderful way. Please pray for his family. We'll post service details as we get them. In the meantime, reach out to one another, love one another, pray for one another," the post reads.
Grief counselors will be available 4 to 6 p.m. today at Warren G. Harding High School, where Jeremiah would have been a senior in the fall, to provide support to students.
"Our hearts are saddened by the untimely and tragic loss of Jeremiah Barnes," said Dante Capers, principal at Harding. "Jeremiah was a vibrant member of the Warren G. Harding High School community. He will be remembered as uplifting, friendly, positive and always looking to lend a helping hand."