‘You would have loved him:’ Merrimack Valley high school community honors 17-year-old senior Wyatt Carleton killed in crash

Students, parents and teachers all gathered at the track of Merrimack Valley High School honor Wyatt Carleton, a 17-year-old who died in a tragic crash on Sunday night in Andover.

Students, parents and teachers all gathered at the track of Merrimack Valley High School honor Wyatt Carleton, a 17-year-old who died in a tragic crash on Sunday night in Andover. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Merrimack Valley student Amelia Bryan gets a hug from a parent at the school on Thursday. Bryan said she had known Wyatt Carleton since  elementary school.

Merrimack Valley student Amelia Bryan gets a hug from a parent at the school on Thursday. Bryan said she had known Wyatt Carleton since elementary school. GEOFF FORESTERMonitor staff

Students, parents and teachers all gathered at the track of Merrimack Valley High School to honor Wyatt Carleton, a 17-year-old who died in a tragic crash on Sunday night in Andover.

Students, parents and teachers all gathered at the track of Merrimack Valley High School to honor Wyatt Carleton, a 17-year-old who died in a tragic crash on Sunday night in Andover. GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff

Students, parents and teachers all gathered at the track of Merrimack Valley High School honor Wyatt Carleton, a 17-year-old who died in a tragic crash on Sunday night in Andover.

Students, parents and teachers all gathered at the track of Merrimack Valley High School honor Wyatt Carleton, a 17-year-old who died in a tragic crash on Sunday night in Andover. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Merrimack Valley student Amelia Bryan holds a candle at the vigil at the track of the high school for Wyatt Carleton on Thursday night, January 16, 2025.

Merrimack Valley student Amelia Bryan holds a candle at the vigil at the track of the high school for Wyatt Carleton on Thursday night, January 16, 2025. GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Declan Bisson gets a hug from a parent at the candlelight vigil at Merrimack Valley High School on Thursday. Bisson was Wyatt Carleton’s best friend from kindergarten.

Declan Bisson gets a hug from a parent at the candlelight vigil at Merrimack Valley High School on Thursday. Bisson was Wyatt Carleton’s best friend from kindergarten. GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff

Wyatt Carleton was beloved by his family and community.

Wyatt Carleton was beloved by his family and community. Courtesy

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Monitor staff

Published: 01-17-2025 11:35 AM

Modified: 01-17-2025 7:29 PM


One by one, friends, family, teachers, and even strangers stepped forward, their hands trembling as they each took a candle at the snow-covered field at Merrimack Valley High School.

The snow crunched softly beneath their feet as nearly 100 candles flickered in unison. They fought back tears, their grief etched across their faces. Others hugged each other, seeking comfort in shared loss. Some simply stood in silence.

They had all come Thursday night at sunset to honor the memory of Wyatt Carleton, a 17-year-old senior whose life had ended tragically in a car accident on Sunday night in his hometown of Andover.

Declan Bisson, his best friend from kindergarten, fought back tears as he gazed at a screen display snapshots of Carleton’s life.

“He was very loyal,” Bisson said. “He was there for you no matter what, to be there congratulate you or when you are having a bad day.”

For everyone who knew him, Carleton’s smile was unforgettable — infectious and full of warmth. But it was the kindness and humor behind it that truly defined him.

Carleton was an adventurer at heart — always seeking out the great outdoors, whether it was camping, hiking, swimming or skiing. His friends fondly remembered the games of baseball they played with him and his antics, whether it was pulling pranks or exploring abandoned buildings.

But the way he touched the lives of those around him, no matter how fleeting the encounter, left a lasting impression.

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Illianna Wesson, a freshman who had only met Carleton this year, recalled how he stood out immediately; his bright smile was always a comforting sight in the halls.

“He was always helpful,” said Wesson. “He used to help me find my classes when I didn’t know where they were.”

When the music from Carleton’s playlist stopped for a few minutes, a profound silence filled the air. At that moment, nearly everyone stood motionless, the stillness underscored the weight of why they were there.

Merrimack Valley teacher Michael Costa, bundled against the cold, stood before the crowd, heart heavy with loss, recalling how Carleton, whom he taught English, mythology, and other subjects, often spent his senior release periods in his classroom, hanging out with friends.

“Despite not being required to be there, I expected to see him every day, and felt a bit disappointed when he wasn’t,” said Costa. “That’s because he only brought positivity into the classroom, and he was incredibly respectful while I was teaching or working with students.”

Even those who hadn’t known Carleton personally felt compelled to be there, a powerful reminder of how a community comes together in times of loss.

Fellow student Anthony Sarcione was one such person.

“I recognized the name, but I didn’t know him. But I wanted to pay my respects to his friends and family,” said Sarcione. “The kid is part of the community and everyone coming together is a sweet thing.”

Some in the crowd were inconsolable, their grief too deep for comfort, and Amelia Bryan was among them.

Holding her candle with one hand, she clung to her friends, struggling to hold back the tears. She had known Carleton from elementary to middle school, sharing carefree moments like Nerf gun fights, but by high school, they had drifted apart.

“I wish we had got closer again. He was a great person,” said Bryan.

Her words caught in her throat as she tried to capture the essence of who he was.

“For those who didn’t know him,” she said, “you should have. You would have loved him.”

Sruthi Gopalakrishnan can be reached at sgopalakrishnan@cmonitor.com