WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Yeriel Gonzalez was known to be a dedicated catcher for the Auburndale High School and Fury travel baseball team – and a friend to his teammates.
People traveled from near and far to remember the life of Gonzalez, someone they consider a natural-born leader. His coach Jeff Haag said he was the total package.
“He had that it factor," Haag said. "He was just such a great kid no matter what happened. He always had a smile on his face."
Something like that is hard to find at 15 years old, Haag added.
“He was beyond his years is what I want to say. He was 15 when he should've been 30."
Polk County deputies said Gonzalez was hit early Tuesday morning after a driver in an SUV swerved into his path while trying to avoid hitting dogs that ran into the road.
The teen's coaches said before his death, they'd seen him grow into a great teammate and leader on and off the field.
“He had a great future in baseball," Gonzalez's coach Jorge Cordova said. "He was a great baseball player."
When the season was over with the Auburndale Bloodhounds, Gonzalez was hitting the field with the Fury travel team.
Unfortunately, the team is coming together without Gonzalez. Cordova called it a complete shock.
“They're grieving pretty bad, some of them are very sad," he said. "They won't speak at all and they're mad. Why did this happen to such a great kid? Why did happen to one of our teammates."
Polk County deputies said Gonzalez was hit early Tuesday morning after a driver in an SUV swerved into his path while trying to avoid hitting dogs that ran into the road.
It's a shock to his loved ones, but they said nothing can take away their memories.
“One of our kids, you know, he's always been No. 14 his whole life," Haag said." "He got his uniform yesterday from George Jenkins High School he got No. 14, that was Yeriel's number. That's why we wear the 14."
Polk County Schools said they are adding crisis counselors on campus for anyone affected by this tragedy.