Police: 16-year-old charged with DUI felony after crash killed teen

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A 16-year-old has been charged with a DUI felony after a crash killed another teen.

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Deputies say Jonathan O’Brien was behind the wheel when he crashed a car into a tree on Bishop Estates Road in Julington Creek early Sunday morning.

Students didn’t think they’d be doing this two days before Christmas: visiting the crash site where a friend was killed.

“Not having him in our life is going to be real difficult,” said Alex Gerdak, a friend.

“Being around him was just different, because he was such a great person, and it’s just so sad what happened,” said JD Christie, another friend.

Friends said 18-year-old Jack Wheeler died in the crash. They gave Action News Jax pictures of the teen who they said was a senior at Creekside High School.

“His family raised such a beautiful kid, it’s insane. He’s so loved by everybody,” Gerdak said.

Deputies said Wheeler was in a car with two other teens early Sunday morning on Bishop Estates Road. They said the driver, O’Brien, crashed into a tree. He’s facing a felony charge for DUI.

According to a police report, deputies said they smelled a strong odor of alcohol on O’Brien. They said the 16-year-old swayed and mumbled.

Friends said Jack had big plans

“Jack has really good grades, he was all working hard to get to his point, it’s sad to see it fall, he would’ve loved his future,” Gerdak said.

Another friend said, “I just wish I could’ve hung out with him one last time before he passed."

If you would like to help the Wheeler family, here is a link to the Go Fund Me.

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