Michael Jent, a 16-year-old member of Carmel Swim Club and junior at Carmel High School, died on Sunday.
Jent was injured early Friday morning in a single-vehicle collision, crashing his Jeep into an apartment building on Main Street in Carmel, Ind., around 5:15 am. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries before dying two days later.
Investigators believe Jent was driving east on Main Street when he lost control and crashed into The Olivia on Main apartments, Carmel Police said in a statement. The apartments are located in the 1100 block of West Main Street, west of Old Meridian Street.
The crash caused significant damage to both the Jeep and the building.
Here’s a look at the damage to the Olivia on Main apartment building in Carmel.
Police believe the driver lost control while headed east on Main Street before crashing into the building. MORE: https://t.co/EHYwAAWVxy pic.twitter.com/rL0UhW9Q5z
— WISH-TV (@WISH_TV) January 6, 2023
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Jent family as well as the students and staff of Carmel High School as they continue to process this tragic loss,” Lt. Tim Byrne, with the Carmel Police Department, said in the announcement of Jent’s death Sunday.
The crash site became a growing memorial on Sunday once news spread that Jent didn’t survive.
“I was very shocked and very scared. We were all praying for him to pull through,” Peyton Newkirk, a friend of Jent’s younger brother, told WTHR Indianapolis.
“I just feel sad for his family and friends. It’s kind of insane that life is so fragile. Tomorrow is not promised,” said Newkirk, who described Jent as being kind, positive, and someone who always lived life to the fullest.
Carmel High School canceled afternoon swim practice on Friday following the incident and made counselling available for students and coaches.
Jent, a butterflier, last competed in mid-December at the FRST Holiday Season Slam for Carmel Swim Club. Carmel High School’s boys’ swim & dive season got underway in December and will wrap up with the IHSAA Championships in February.
I live in Carmel, I Diana. It was icy that Friday morning, I think the student hit a patch of ice and lost control. Lots of prayers to his family, friends, and Teammates.
I just pick up my son from 5:am swimming session. My thoughts are with the family who I am sure can not believe what happened with his son. RIP Michael
I’m 27 years old and after reading this I try not to take life or anything special for granted.
Was he going to an early morning practice @ 5:15 AM on a Friday?
A sad accident to a life very much to be lived still! R.I.P.
From a swim mom in Ohio – my thoughts and prayers go out to the Indiana swim community, and especially his parents, family and friends. It is unimaginable. I am so very sorry.
Our hearts go out to Michael’s family, his friends and his swim team. This is such a tragedy.
This hits home for everyone in the swim community. Our hearts are heavy for the Jent Family and the Carmel Swim Team.
Rest in peace