Dozens gathered Sunday to remember 17-year-old Christian Larosiliere, a recent Royal Palm Beach Community High School graduate, who died in a single-vehicle crash in Gainesville.
According to family members, Christian was leaving a basketball tournament on Friday night when the accident occurred. He was transported to HCA Lawnwood in Fort Pierce, where he was pronounced dead.
Friends and family lit candles and shared memories at Lamancha Park in Royal Palm Beach, wearing blue in his honor. David Alexis, a member of the varsity basketball team, spoke of the deep sense of loss. “It hurts I'm not going to lie,” he said, recalling their recent practices together.
Witnesses reported that Christian's best friend, Arshelie Amilcar, remembered him for his vibrant energy, stating, “He was a very energetic person. Anytime you were sad, he would be the person to lift people up.”
Another close friend, Nevaeh Harvey, spoke about Christian's talents. “If you knew him, you knew he loves to sing and play piano. He was an overall great person,” she said.
Loved ones mentioned that Christian was born in Haiti and aspired to pursue dentistry. They characterized him as loving and caring, with the ability to brighten any room.
Alexis mentioned that the team intends to honor Christian's memory in the upcoming season. “We should really have a great season next year just for Christian,” he said.
Details surrounding the cause of the crash remain unclear. Authorities are conducting an investigation.
Portions of this story were assisted by artificial intelligence tools and reviewed by a WPTV journalist to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to editorial standards.