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High school student killed in crash honored at soccer game

Dominic DePalma, 17, was about to begin his senior year when he was killed July 28. He had recently earned a spot on Broomfield High School's varsity soccer team.

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — The Broomfield community honored a high school student who died after a car crash in July at a soccer game Thursday night.

Dominic DePalma, 17, was about to begin his senior year when he lost his life in a crash on July 28. He had recently earned a spot on Broomfield High School's varsity soccer team. 

On Thursday night, students and families honored DePalma at Broomfield High's soccer game against crosstown rival Legacy High School at North Stadium in Westminster.

RELATED: Broomfield High student killed in 'tragic' crash identified

The pregame ceremony included a moment of silence and a release of green balloons, DePalma's favorite color. 

"I have said so many times if this wasn't so terribly tragic, it is quite beautiful what everyone in the community has done," said Tami DePalma, Dominic's mom. "I have heard story after story of his humor in class -- in ways that I never even knew that he would take care of his friends and people he barely even knew."

The Dominic DePalma Memorial Soccer Scholarship fund has been set up in DePalma's honor to help carry on his passion for soccer to other aspiring players. 

Lafayette Police said DePalma was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a semi-truck at Highway 287 and Dillon Road. All five teens in the car were taken to hospitals. DePalma died the next morning.

The 20th Judicial District Attorney's Office said the juvenile driver was charged with the following counts on Sept. 30:

  • Vehicular homicide
  • Two counts of vehicular assault
  • Illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by an underage person
  • Illegal possession or consumption of marijuana by an underage person 

“This is such a serious, tragic case for everyone involved. All of them are young people, with loving families, and this crash has forever changed them," District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. "I had the privilege of meeting with the families of the victims. We will do our very best to support them through this process and to secure the right result in this case."    

RELATED: 'She's a fighter': Castle Rock community supporting family of teen badly injured in crash

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