Jakob Gottfriedson, 18, of Kamloops was killed in a car accident in May 2024.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/BC Interior Community Foundation

The life of a young man in Kamloops was cut short weeks before his grade 12 graduation, and his grieving family and community are setting up a memorial award in his honour.

Jakob Gottfriedson, 18, was driving home from his girlfriend’s house late at night on May 25 when his car left the highway and crashed into a power pole. He died at the scene in the 2300 block of the East Trans Canada Highway.

“It was raining hard and the road conditions were bad that night,” Jakob’s sister Samara Gottfriedson said. “He just wanted to come home so he could see us in the morning before going to buy a new vehicle. He was driving a little faster than he should have, at the end of the day it was just an accident.”

Samara woke early that morning to a commotion as a police officer came to the door to inform the family of tragedy.

“I heard my grandmother crying and was told the news,” she said. “We then had to break the news to our mother.”

Samara said the family is grieving and is just trying to go through the motions each day. They recently had a funeral service for Jakob.

“We had a traditional (Indigenous) service and wake, it was a close family affair and Jakob’s hockey community was invited,” she said.

Jakob enjoyed playing hockey, fishing and hunting, and his favourite food was cheese smokies. Samara said her brother marched to the beat of his own drum and everyone he met had something positive to say about him.

“He was always making sure everyone was included, he was friends with a diverse group,” she said. “He had a loud presence, you always knew he was in the room. He also had a silly side, like he’d cook at night. I’d meet him at 3 a.m. to make grilled cheese sandwiches.

“He lived his life in the fast lane, he was never slow in life. As soon as he figured out how to walk he was never stationary and started running at a very young age.”

Jakob went to Valleyview Secondary School and Samara stepped in to walk across the stage at his graduation in his honour Wednesday, June 5.

“I walked with his best friend and someone came in with their rendition of Amazing Grace to beat of a hand drum. He was well known in the school and there is a feeling of loss among his schoolmates at a time that is supposed to be about moving onto a successful place in life.”

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Sarah Thomas, a close family friend, has been helping the family navigate this very difficult time.

“Jakob’s warmth and compassion touched the lives of many, embracing people from all walks of life with open arms,” she said in a BC Interior Community Foundation media release.

“His kindness knew no bounds, and he was a beacon of inclusion, ensuring that no one felt overlooked or undervalued. Jakob’s legacy is woven with threads of empathy and understanding, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to have crossed his path.”

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The community foundation created the Jakob Gottfriedson Memorial Award, a scholarship fund that will be presented to a graduating student from Valleyview Secondary honouring Jakob's legacy and the positive influence he had on his community.

Samara said her family is working on the details of the scholarship award and it isn’t clear yet how much it will be worth.

“We’re thinking about the award going to Indigenous students who are involved in hockey because hockey was Jakob’s favourite thing but nothing is confirmed yet.”

Go here to contribute to Jakob Gottfriedson's scholarship fund.

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