Friends, classmates remember teen killed in Spring Lake wreck

Jonathan McKenzie, 15, of Linden, was killed after troopers said he stepped into the path of a car on Ray Road Wednesday evening.

The driver, Terence Jones, 35, of Spring Lake, said the incident happened so fast, he had no time to react.

Jones has not been charged. The Highway Patrol is still investigating the wreck.

On Thursday, McKenzie's classmates met at the scene of the accident. They carried a cross covered with signatures.

McKenzie, a junior ROTC cadet, played the guitar. He had recently joined the worship band at Real Life Church. He was walking with some friends along Ray Road on their way to a youth meeting at the church when the collision happened.

Lt. Col. Thomas Covington was McKenzie’s instructor. He remembered the teen as a person who was “always happy” and “made those around him feel accepted.”

“He was always a cadet who could brighten up any situation,” Covington said.

In class Thursday, Covington said he and his students reminisced about McKenzie.

“We laughed for about 30 minutes and cried for about 30 minutes,” Covington said.

Classmate Rebecca Dyrdahl said McKenzie “always had a smile on his face.”

“He’ll put his problems aside and talk to you first,” said classmate Lloyd Williford.

Services for McKenzie are scheduled this weekend. On Saturday, visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Adcock Funeral Home, 2226 Lillington Hwy. in Spring Lake. Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Eureka Baptist Church, 1591 Eureka Ave. in Fayetteville.