‘They were role models’: Basketball tournament honors legacies of Chesterfield teens killed in crash
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Community members are hosting a basketball tournament on Sunday in memory of Nick Booth and Will Hammitt -- two former James River High School seniors who died in a crash back in April 2023. This is the second annual tournament held in their honor. The week of Dec. 30, 2024 -- the week of Nick Booth's birthday and days before the tournament -- 8News spoke with their loved ones, who emphasized that the boys were both role models for young kids in the community. While the event is partially about emphasizing the importance of safe driving, it's also a way for the two teens to continue to make a difference even after their deaths. "They were loved, they were respected and I think they would recognize that the way they lived will be remembered more than the way they died," said David Booth, Nick's father. PREVIOUS: ‘I just wish they were here,' Parents of teens who died in tragic fiery crash join campaign pleading for safe driving Nick Booth and Hammitt were seniors at James River High School when their lives were cut short before graduation. The two student athletes died in a speed-related, single-vehicle crash -- but Nick's father reminded the community: "They were more than just a horrible car accident on April 11th, 2023," David Booth said. They were teammates, friends and, to young campers at Midlothian's ACAC, "Mr. Nick" and "Mr. Will." Most of all, David Booth said "they were role models." People who knew the teens said they dedicated their time on earth to motivating, loving and supporting others. Nick Booth and Will Hammitt. (Photo provided to 8News by family.) Now, that legacy lives on, as evidenced by Jack Kardian and Derrick Jackson -- current James River High School seniors. "We want to make sure the qualities of who they were are really exemplified," Kardian said. Several of these students were inspired to help future generations by raising money through the "Rapids Forever 3v3 Basketball Tournament" which will be held at the high school at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5. PREVIOUS: Over $10,000 raised by tournament honoring Chesterfield student athletes killed in crash The money will go towards scholarships for chosen James River students with a clean driving record who exemplify the same community spirit and compassion Nick Booth and Hammitt were known for. "I know that he wanted his future to be way, way beyond this," David Booth said. "And I think we want to use this as a way to help somebody make that bridge to make that step forward." David Booth noted that grief isn't something you can put a timeline on. The Booths and the Hammitts are taking it day by day. "Some days are good and some days aren't," David Booth said. The grieving families' missions are, in part, to create more "good" days for families of young drivers across Central Virginia. That's why they're focused on raising awareness about the dangers of speeding, while reminding people of who the two teenagers really were. ‘Midlothian Depot’ coming to Chesterfield, bringing stores, homes, greenspace and more "This is a way to keep their legacy alive and still deliver that message of what could have been -- or what might have been, and what was tragically lost that day," David Booth said. David Booth said that, alongside his community, he hopes to radiate the message that mistakes that can change your life -- as one did for Nick Booth and Hammitt -- don't define your life. Loved ones told 8News that the student athletes were joyful and positive. Because of that, it was important to the families to bring joy to the tournament, creating a safe, fun, space -- turning tragedy into impact. "That's exactly what we're hoping to do," David Booth said. "That's exactly the kind of message that we want to send, is ... 'Don't ever forget how special he was to you and try to be special like that to other people.'" Event organizers have already raised more than $10,000. For additional information, or to get involved and give back, click here.
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Community members are hosting a basketball tournament on Sunday in memory of Nick Booth and Will Hammitt -- two former James River High School seniors who died in a crash back in April 2023.
This is the second annual tournament held in their honor. The week of Dec. 30, 2024 -- the week of Nick Booth's birthday and days before the tournament -- 8News spoke with their loved ones, who emphasized that the boys were both role models for young kids in the community.
While the event is partially about emphasizing the importance of safe driving, it's also a way for the two teens to continue to make a difference even after their deaths.
"They were loved, they were respected and I think they would recognize that the way they lived will be remembered more than the way they died," said David Booth, Nick's father.
Nick Booth and Hammitt were seniors at James River High School when their lives were cut short before graduation. The two student athletes died in a speed-related, single-vehicle crash -- but Nick's father reminded the community:
"They were more than just a horrible car accident on April 11th, 2023," David Booth said.
They were teammates, friends and, to young campers at Midlothian's ACAC, "Mr. Nick" and "Mr. Will." Most of all, David Booth said "they were role models." People who knew the teens said they dedicated their time on earth to motivating, loving and supporting others.
Nick Booth and Will Hammitt. (Photo provided to 8News by family.)
Now, that legacy lives on, as evidenced by Jack Kardian and Derrick Jackson -- current James River High School seniors.
"We want to make sure the qualities of who they were are really exemplified," Kardian said.
Several of these students were inspired to help future generations by raising money through the "Rapids Forever 3v3 Basketball Tournament" which will be held at the high school at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5.
PREVIOUS: Over $10,000 raised by tournament honoring Chesterfield student athletes killed in crash
The money will go towards scholarships for chosen James River students with a clean driving record who exemplify the same community spirit and compassion Nick Booth and Hammitt were known for.
"I know that he wanted his future to be way, way beyond this," David Booth said. "And I think we want to use this as a way to help somebody make that bridge to make that step forward."
David Booth noted that grief isn't something you can put a timeline on. The Booths and the Hammitts are taking it day by day.
"Some days are good and some days aren't," David Booth said.
The grieving families' missions are, in part, to create more "good" days for families of young drivers across Central Virginia. That's why they're focused on raising awareness about the dangers of speeding, while reminding people of who the two teenagers really were.
‘Midlothian Depot’ coming to Chesterfield, bringing stores, homes, greenspace and more
"This is a way to keep their legacy alive and still deliver that message of what could have been -- or what might have been, and what was tragically lost that day," David Booth said.
David Booth said that, alongside his community, he hopes to radiate the message that mistakes that can change your life -- as one did for Nick Booth and Hammitt -- don't define your life.
Loved ones told 8News that the student athletes were joyful and positive. Because of that, it was important to the families to bring joy to the tournament, creating a safe, fun, space -- turning tragedy into impact.
"That's exactly what we're hoping to do," David Booth said. "That's exactly the kind of message that we want to send, is ... 'Don't ever forget how special he was to you and try to be special like that to other people.'"
Event organizers have already raised more than $10,000. For additional information, or to get involved and give back, click here.
